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AN 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE, 



DELIVERED AT 



WEST BROOKFIELD, MASS., NOV. 27, 1828. 



OS THE D\Y OF THE ANNUAL THANKSGIVING. 



BY JOSEPH I. 1 FOOT. 



WITH 

Capt, Thomas Wheeler's Narrative, 

NOW ANNEXED, AND ADDITIONAL. NOTICKS OF OCCURRENCES IN 

THE TOWN, SINCE THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF 

THE DISCOURSE. 



" Inasmuch as this town is of ancient dole, and, compared with most of the 
Towns in this County, even with the shire Town itself, is like an elder mat- 
ron amidst a group of youngerly Females; and inasmuch as it has been 
famous for Indian inhabitants, Indian wars and Indian barbarities, I have 
for a considerable time felt a strong inclination and desire to search into its 
history — to find out its origin — the difficulties and hardships of its first Eng- 
lish Inhabitants, its gradual increase and progressive improvements." 

Rev. Dr. Fisxe's Hist. Serm. 1775. 

v % 






A WEST BROOKFIELD: 
PUBLISHED BY M E R R I AM & COOKE. 
1S43. 



Ff4 

33 rr\ 



NOTICE 

TO THE PRESENT EDITION 



Mr. Foot's Historical Discourse was the result of much 
inquiry, and laborious research of the Records of the Town 
of Brookfield, and other documents relating to its settlement 
and later history. It comprises a great variety of important 
facts, which no other publication so fully embodies; and 
which it is believed cannot fail to be interesting to every 
class of readers. It well deserves a place in every Family 
Library in the Town. It has a special claim to the at- 
tention of the rising generation; of those particularly who 
are descendants of the early settlers ; and of all who are 
curious to know the character and enterprise, the disasters 
and sufferings of the first English inhabitants ; and the 
subsequent establishment and growth of the Town. 

The Discourse was first published in 1S23; and was then 
very favorably received. The Edition was soon exhausted. 
Since which, for years past, although often inquired for, 
not a single copy was to be obtained at any Book Store. 



± NOTICE TO THE PRESENT EDITION. 

And, now, with difficulty could an entire copy be found in 
the place, from which lo make a reprint. 

These considerations have induced the original Publishers 
to issue a new Edition ; with such addition to the Notes, 
as subsequent events and further investigation render proper 
and necessary. 

It is particularly desirable that Capt. Wheeler's 
Narrative of the breaking up of the first settlement 
should be annexed to the present Edition; as it was written 
immediately after the destruction of the Town, by one that 
shared in all the perils of the disaster; and as it was 
originally intended by the Author to publish it with the 
Discourse, had it been received in Season. 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



PSALM 145 : 4. 

ONE GENERATION -HALL PRAISE THY WORKS TO ANOTHER 
AND SHALL DECLARE THY MIGHTY ACTS. 

To perpetuate a knowledge of the dealings of 
God with ris is equally the dictate of patriotism and 
religion. No one, who loves his country, can medi- 
tate on the favors which have been poured upon her, 
without desiring, that they may he accurately told to 
future gent rations. No one, who loves the Lord, 
can think on his kind care and ever watchful protec- 
tion without f<e!ing, that his interpositions should he 
held in grateful and everlasting remembrance. Under 
the combined influence of these feelings, a venerable 
monarch of Israel said, '* Gi\r car, O my people, to 
my law, incline your ears to the words of my mouth. 
I will utter dark sayings of old, which we have 
heard and known and our fathers have told us, we 
will not hide them from their children, shewing to 
the generation to come the praises of the Lord and 
his strength and his wonderful works, that he hath 

done ; that the generation to come might know 
1* 



g HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 

them, even the children, that should be born, who 
should arise and declare them to their children, that 
they might set their hope in God and not forget the 
works of God, but keep his commandments."* 

But whilst national blessings ought to be grateful- 
ly remembered, it is equally important, that particular 
favors should not be forgotten. Perhaps no other 
historical facts are capable of exciting in us so deep 
an interest, as those which respect our own ancestors 
and the place of our residence. It is, then, desirable 
to trace their history from their first settlement in 
this place to the present time, to know their trials, 
and sufferings, to call to mind early interpositions for 
their protection, and to tell to the rising generation 
the story of the toils, which they endured ; of the 
miseries to which they were exposed ; and of the 
peculiar favors which they received at the hand of 
the Lord. 

This place was originally the residence of Indians. 
These ponds and brooks and hills and plains were cal- 
culated to attract the attention of the sons of the for- 
est, and to supply them with the necessaries of life. 
Here they kindled their fires and pursued their game. 
The earliest notice, which I have found of them is dat- 
ed in 1648. At this time they were divided into sever- 
al small and independant factions, called the Quaboag 
Indians and governed by Quacunquasit and other 
Sachems. t Their residence for the most part was 
west and north of Wickaboag pond, extending up 



Ps Ixxviii. f See Appendix, A. 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. J 

the borders of the stream far into New Braintree. 
This was the " chief seat"* of theNipmucf Indians, 
a tribe occupying the territory between the Connecti- 
cut river and the eastern line of Worcester county, 
and extending southward nearly twenty miles into 
the state of Connecticut. 

In 1660 several inhabitants of Ipswich obtained a 
grant of land in this place of six miles square on the 
condition, that they should have twenty families resi- 
dent here within three years, an able minister settled 
within the said term and provision made for his future 
support. | 

At what time the English settlement began is un- 
certain. Some have supposed, that "small begin- 
nings were made here" previously to the grant. ^ 
From the conditions of this article it is probable, that 
the place began to be occupied by English residents 
as early as the year 166U.|] The first inhabitants 
came into the bosom of an extensive wilderness. 
Marlborough was the nearest settlement on the east; 
Springfield and Northampton on the west. Thus 
remote from those, who would assist them in an 
hour of trial, and relying on the arm of the Almighty 
for protection, they began to remove the forest and 
cultivate the soil. They lived in harmony with the 
natives by whom they were thickly surrounded, and 



* Hubbard Ind. Wars, p. 111. 

t Sometimes written Nipmug and also Nipnet. 

t See Appendix, B. § Dr. Fiske. 

II The earliest English settlement in the county of Worcester was at Lan- 
caster in 1643; the next at tirookfield probably in 1660; the third at Mendou 
in 1667. 



O HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 

On the I Oth of November R'6.3, fairly purchased ihe 
land of Shattoocquis, who claimed to l)e " the sole 
and proper owner." * The inhabitants gradually in- 
creased, and in October 167 J, were incorporated as 
a town, which was called Brookfield.f 

Previously to 1675, a part of the Nipmuc Indians 
had been controlled chiefly by Philip. In this year 
he extended his influence over the whole. And v\ hen 
this sagacious and patriotic king saw the English 
gradually and rapidly extend their settlements over 
the land, and daily increase in numbers and in power; 
he knew, that if they were suffered to advance with- 
out restraint, they would soon cover the face of the 
country and exclude the heirs of the soil from the 
fields, the hunting grounds and the graves of their 
fathers. Under the influence of these gloomy pros- 
pects his undaunted mind conceived the plan of ex- 
terminating the English, or driving them from the 
country. J He infused his spirit into all the natives 
over whom he had influence. On the 14th of Julv§ 
1675, some of the Nipmucs in the neighborhood of 
Philip's territory murdered four or five of the inhabit- 
ants of Mendon. This is said to have been the first 
injury ever committed by the Indians against the 
English of the ancient colony of Massachusetts. 
Messengers were immediately sent by the government 
to ascertain the disposition of the Nipmucs, and in- 
dications of their inclination to join the confederacy 



* See Appendix C. f S^e Appendix D. t See Appendix E. 

§ Old Style. This must be remembered in each date previous to 1752. 



HISTORICAL DISCCURSE. 9 

for the destruction of the English were discovered. 
The Indians, however, professed a desire to remain 
at pence; and the 2d of August was appointed as a 
day for making a treaty.* 

Such was the condition of the first inhabitants of 
this place at the beginning of the most formidable 
contest, that New England ever sustained. They 
were few. The number of families probably did not 
exceed twenty. Nearly 30 miles distant from any 
English settlement, and from anv individual, who 
would give them protection, they were surrounded by 
treacherous and powerful and merciless enemies. 
They confidently expected, that on the arrival of the 
appointed day articles of stipulation would be mutu- 
ally adopted and inviolably observed. A place for 
the meeting of the contracting parties was agreed 
upon.f Captain Hutchinson, who had been appoint- 
ed by the governor and council to form the treaty, 
arrived with twenty horsemen. On the second of 
August some of the principal inhabitants accompa- 
nied them, unarmed, to the hill near the north find of 
Wickaboag pond, where they had promised to meet 
the Indians, but the latter had not arrived. They 
advanced up the valley towards the t4 principal ren- 
dezvous" of the NativesJ, and as they were passing 
between a steep hill on one side and a swamp on the 
other, they were assailed by the Indians, eight of the 
company were killed and three mortally wounded. 
Amongst the latter was Capt. Hutchinson. Those 

* See Appendix, E. 2. f See Appendix, F. $ See Appendix, G. 



JQ HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 

who survived, returned by a circuitous route to the 
town, because they were informed by friendly Indians 
in their company, that according to the custom of 
savage warfare, the path in which they had come 
would be found thickly lined by enemies ready to cut 
off those, who escaped the fury of the onset. The 
inhabitants collected into one house.* This they 
fortified in the best manner, which the emergency of 
the case would permit. The Indians rushed in upon 
the town and set fire to most of the buildings. Sud- 
denly about twenty houses with their barns were con- 
sumed. They next assailed the fortified house. In 
addition to an almost constant discharge of balls 
against it during nearly three days, numerous attempts 
were made to set it on fire. At length they loaded 
a cart with hemp, flax, and other combustible matter, 
and having joined together several long poles, they 
attached them to the cart and endeavored to propel 
it against the fortification. But a signal and timely 
and almost incredible dispensation of Providence de- 
livered our ancestors from sudden death. A cloud 
arose and the rain descended so violently as to ex- 
tinguish the fire.f At length Major Willard, who 
had been sent westward from Lancaster on some 
other expedition, learned the condition of the inhabit- 
ants, and with 48 horsemen hastened to their relief. 
The Indian sentinels fired their " alarm guns," but 
they were not heard by those, who were investing 



* See Appendix, H. 

t Hubbard, Malher, Hutchinson. 



. HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. \\ 

the fortification. Late at night on the 4th of August 
he arrived. Even the cattle seemed to rejoice at his 
coming, and to hail him as their deliverer. " In their 
fright at the conflagration of the buildings and the 
firing and war whoops of the Indians these poor ani- 
mals" hastened to the troop " for protection and fol- 
lowed them till they arrived at the besieged house." 
The noise of the cattle led the Indians to suppose, 
that the number of men, who had newly arrived, was 
very great. They therefore set fire immediately to 
the meeting house and to the onlv other house and 
barn, which they had reserved and hastened away. 

As soon as the distress of the inhabitants became 
known, soldiers arrived from all quarters. A compa- 
ny under Captain Watts from Hartford, "a band 
under Lieutenant Cooper of Springfield, and others 
from the county of Essex under Captains La- 
throp* and Beersf and in conjunction marched as far 
as Meminimesset, but found no trace of the Indians. 
The reason of their sudden departure, was their de- 
feat on the night of the 4th of August and the arri- 
val of Philip! on the evening of the 5th, who per- 
suaded them to join him in an expediton against the 
towns on the Connecticut. Most of the troops pro- 



* Captain Lathrop and his company of 70 young men," the flower of Es- 
sex," fell into an ambushment of Indians at a brook in South Deerfield, now 
called Bloody Brook, and excepting seven or eight, were suddenly destroyed 
on the !8th of September, 1675. 

t Early in ihe month of September, Captain Beers was sent from Hadley to 
convey provisions to a garrison in Norilifield. At a distance of about two 
miles from the garrison he was attacked by a large body of Indians. Of the 
36 men, who formed his company twenty were slain, amongst whom was the 
Captain. See Hoyt's History of Indian Wars. 

t See Appendix I. 



|2 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 

ceeded to Hadley, for the purpose of protecting the 
infant settlements in that neighborhood. " A garri- 
son was maintained here till winter when the Court 
ordered the people away."* Two of the principal 
Indians who devised and directed the attack on this 
place were afterwards apprehended, tried for a violation 
of their agreement with the English and their assault 
on Captain Hutchinson, and were executed in Boston 
on the 26th of September, 1676. These were Sam, 
Sachem of Weshakim, (Lancaster) and Neatump, 
Sachem of Quaboag ( Brook fie Id. )t 

It was a long time before the inhabitants dared to 
return. They were reluctant again to expose them- 
selves to the fury of their enemies. Their farms re- 
mained uncultivated, and their dwellings a ruin. Af- 
ter ten or twelve years a few of the dispersed came 
back and began to re-settle the town. J Others join- 
ed them. In 1692 the inhabitants were sufficiently 
numerous to petition the General Court for the ap- 
pointment of a committee u as formerly to direct and 
regulate the settlement of the plantation and the af- 
fairs thereof." Their request was granted and a 
committee appointed. || Various measures were now 
adopted by the people for mutual protection and de- 
fence;^ but owing to the frequent incursions of the 
Indians and to the numerous injuries and murders 
committed by them, the progress of the settlement 
was slow. 



* Dr. Fiske. | Hubbard Indian Wars, pp. Ill & 202. Neatump, proba- 
bly the same as Mawtamps in Appendix, I. t See Appendix, J. 
I See Appendix, L. § See Appendix M. 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



13 



Of the events which occurred from 1692 to 1710 
little is now known. The inhabitants were, how- 
ever, constantly exposed to attacks from the hostile 
parties that roved around them. Many individuals 
were cruelly murdered. Some were carried into 
captivity,* yet the town was not abandoned. Amidst 
all these discouragements the population gradually 
increased. 

Previously to the dispersion of the inhabitants in 
1675, a meeting house had been built, and public 
worship regularly attended. Though from the gen- 
eral customs of the " first settlers in New England," 
we may be inclined to believe, that a church was gath- 
ered, and a minister ordained, yet we have no evi- 
dence, that either was done. No records of that 
period have come down to us ; and though an ob- 
scure tradition remains respecting a church and a 
" settled minister," 1 cannot find sufficient grounds 
to warrant us in regarding it as true. Tradition also 
relates, that Mr. Thomas James preached the first ser- 
mon in this town.f Previously to 1713, a Mr. Smitht 
had been en ployed here as a minister. In 1715, Mr 
Elmer,^ who had been for some time "carrying on 
the work of the ministry" here, and partly supported 
by the General Court, |j left the town, and was suc- 
ceeded by Mr. Thomas Cheney. In November of 



* See Appendix N. t Reverend Thomas James a native of England, Min- 
ister of Charlestown, Mass. and afterwards a Missionary at East Hampton, 
L. I. $ Possibly Reverend Joseph Smith, Harvard University 1696. 

§ Reverend Daniel Elmer. He was graduated at Yale College 1713. 

II See Appendix O. 

2 



]^ HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 

the same year the inhabitants agreed to build a meet- 
ing house.* The committee appointed by the Leg- 
islature " to regulate the settlement of the plantation" 
ordered, that it should " be set up and erected" on the 
spot where the first meeting house stood. 

Thus forty years after their first sanctuary had 
been consumed by fire, our ancestors gathered strength 
to build another house for the worship of Jehovah. 
On the 5th of April, 1716, Mr. Cheney was invited 
to become their minister.! And on the 16th of 
October J 717, this Church was organized, and Mr. 
Cheney was solemnly constituted its Pastor.J 

Soon after this event, the committee of supervision 
reported to the General Court, that after " various 
disappointments by war and otherwise," the people 
" by the good providence of God" are increased to 
nearly fitly families, have almost completed a very 
convenient meeting house, have settled a church, and 
ordained an orthodox and learned minister. The 
committee, therefore, requested to be released from 
any further supervision of the inhabitants, and propos- 
ed, that they be invested with all the privileges of a 
to'.vn.^ 

After this time nothing occurred to hinder the pros- 
perity of the place 1 , and the population rapidly in- 



* See Appendix P. t See Appendix Q. 

u The discourse preached on this occasion was printed, and is entitled, 
"The duty of GOSPEL MINISTERS to preserve a PEOPLE from COR- 
RUPTION, set forth in a sermon, preached at Prookfield, October 16, 1717, 
being the day wherein the Church was gathered, and Mr. THOMAS CHE- 
NEY was ordained Pastor, By SOLOMON STODDAPvD, A. M. and Pastor 
of Northampton. ' ■ § Appendix R 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. |5 

creased. In the year 1741, the south western corner 
of Brookfield, with parts of other towns, was in- 
corporated and called Western. 

In 1748, the inhabitants of the north eastern part 
of the town obtained a permission to become a distinct 
society* and were incorporated by the General Court 
as the second parish in Brookfield, March 29th 1750. 
This parish became a Town in 1812, and received the 
name of North Brookfield. 

A division soon arose in the first parish respecting 
the location of the meetinghouse. As it had become 
necessary to erect a new one, the inhabitants of the 
present First Parish desired that it should be built 
either on the spot where we are now assembled, or 
in the place where the first and second stood. Those 
of the present South Parish were determined, that 
it should be located where their meeting house now 
stands. The controversy was warm and even vio- 
lent ; at length they separated, and Nov. 8, 1754, a 
third parish was incorporated. 

Since this period a Methodist Society has been 
collected in the north western part of the First Par- 
ish. There have also been formed in the Third Par- 
ish a Baptist, a Universalist, a Methodist and an Evan- 
gelical Society. Thus exclusive of a large part of 
Western and small portions of New Brain tree and 
Ware, the ancient town of Brookfield is divided into 
tw r o distinct towns, eight religious societies, and in 
1820 contained 3387 inhabitants. At the same cen- 

*Sea Appendix S. 



J6 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 

sus the population of Brookfield was 2292. It is 
gradually increasing. The inhabitants have generally 
felt a deep interest in public measures and occasionally 
exhibited specimens of ardent and generous patriot- 
ism.* The means of common education are univer- 
sally enjoyed, and several of our youth have received 
the advantages of public literary Institutions.! Of 
these some have been distinguished in their respective 
professions. 

Having now drawn an outline of our history, I 
will go back and relate some of the dispensations 
of God with this church. Its first pastorj died on 
the 11th of December 1747. About this time a con- 
siderable number of our members were dismissed to 
constitute the church in Western. He was succeed- 
ed by Reverend Elisha Harding,^ who was ordained 
September 13th, 1749, and dismissed May 8th, 1755. 
In this period another portion of our members were 
regularly dismissed, formed into a distinct ecclesias- 
tical body, and denominated the second church in 
Brookfield. Soon after his dismission a fourth por- 
tion of our members obtained letters of dismission 
and recommendation, and were constituted the third 
Church. Thus from this church three distinct con- 
gregational churches have been formed. Mr. Hard- 
ing was succeeded by Reverend Joseph Parsons. || 
He was ordained November 23d, 1757, and died 
January 17, 1771. Reverend Ephraim WardU was 



* See Appendix T. t See Appendix U. t See Appendix V. 

§ See Appendix V 2. || See Appendix V 3. IT See Appendix V 4. 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. ]y 

ordained October 23, 1771, and died February 9th 
1818. Reverend Eliakim Phelps* was ordained as 
colleague with Mr. Ward, October 23d, 1816, and 
dismissed October 25th, 1826. On the same day I 
was installed as your pastor.f 

The Reverend Eli Forbes, D. D.J was ordained 
pastor of the second church June 3d, 1752 and was 
dismissed March 1st, 1775. Reverend Joseph Ap- 
pleton^ was ordained October 30, 1776, and died 
July 25, 1795. Reverend Thomas Snell,|| D. D. 
was ordained June 27, 1798. 

The Reverend Nathan Fiske,H D. D. was ordain- 
ed pastor of the third church May 24th, 1758, and 
died November 24th, 1799. He was succeeded by 
the Reverend Micah Stone** who was ordained 
March 11th, 1801. His civil contract with the so- 
ciety was dissolved in April, 1827. He remains pas- 
tor of the Church. This is now connected with a 
new Society denominated " The Evangelical Society 
in South Brookfield." 

Reverend George R. Noyesft vvas ordained Octo- 
ber 31st, 1827. Though a majority of the society 
voted for his settlement, only two male members of 
the church adhered to the Parish. 

Reverend Laban ThurberJJ was ordained over the 
Baptist Society in 1801 and closed his ministry in 
1805. 



* See Appendix V 5. t See Appendix V 6. X See Appendix W. 

§ See Appendix W. 2. || See Appendix W. 3. IT See Appendix X. 

** See Appendix X 2. ft See Appendix Y. tt See Appendix Z. 

2* 



] g HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 

Reverend John Chase* was ordained pastor of the 
Church June 9th 1818. 

Thus I have given you an account of the origin of 
this Church and have shewn, that from small begin- 
nings it has increased and " broke forth on every 
side." It was early planted by the hand of the Al- 
mighty. It has taken deep root and widely extend- 
ed its branches. Of those pastors, who have finished 
their mortal career we may freely speak. 

And with devout thankfulness we acknowledge, 
that they were " Scribes well instructed.'' They 
believed and taught the existence of God, the Fath- 
er, Son and Holy Spirit. They regarded the Scrip- 
tures as a divine revelation of the character of God, 
and of the character, duty, and destiny of man. They 
believed, and taught that men are alienated from God, 
and constantly inclined to iniquity ; that the " Word 
was God ;" that he " became flesh," suffered and 
died a " sin offering" for us ; that the Holy Spirit con- 
vinces men of sin, and causes them to become " new 
creatures," that repentance and faith are necessary to 
salvation, that there will be a resurrection both of 
the just and of the unjust ; a judgment, and an eternity 
of happiness and misery. These truths formed the 
outline of their system, guided their opinions, and 
gave shape to their characters. Hence they did not 
hesitate to declare the whole counsel of God. This 
they presented to the understandings of their hearers 
and urged it home upon their consciences and hearts. 

* See Appendix Z. 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. ]9 

They did not fear to lift up their voice and cry aloud 
and warn men of their danger. They were friends 
of God and of revivals. They were adorers of our 
Lord Jesus Christ ; and were it possible for some of 
them in their cold habitations to hear the misstate- 
ments, which modern liberality has made respecting 
them ; O were it possible for them to hear these mis- 
statements and to know how the influence of their re- 
spected memory is used to promote the cause of error : 
then might we expect, that their venerated forms 
would break forth from their graves and repeat the 
truths, which once fell from their lips. 

These churches have been favored not only with 
faithful pastors, but also with the special influences of 
the Holy Spirit. With one exception they have en- 
joyed repeated seasons of revival. And it is worthy 
of notice that the present union and harmony of each 
society is nearly proportionate to the number and 
extent of the revivals, with which it has been bless- 
ed. The third parish* never enjeyed this inestima- 
ble favor, and it is divided into five distinct socie- 
ties. The second societyf has more than once been 
watered with a shower of Divine grace, and there a 
commendable degree of union and harmony have ever 
been found. No new society has been formed with- 
in their boundaries. 

In the first society these sacred seasons have been 
frequent. The earliest was previous to 1747, and 
evidently resulted from the labors of the Reverend 
George Whitfield. J The next was in 1780, early in 

* South Parish. t Now North Brookfield. X See Appendix A. A. 



90 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 

the ministry of the Reverend Mr. Ward. The third 
was in 1806. The precise number of admissions to 
the communion in these revivals, 1 have not been able 
to learn. The fourth was in IB 14, and about sixty 
were then added to the church. The society still feels 
the influence of these sacred seasons and of ihe venera- 
able man, whose ministry for nearly half a century was 
crowned with peace and success. At the time of his 
death the church consisted of two hundred and eigh- 
teen members. During the ministry of his successor 
the Lord again visited this congregation and many 
were moved " to work out their salvation with fear and 
trembling.'' From December, 1818, to September, 
1819, one hundred and twelve individuals were per- 
mitted " to enter into covenant with Jehovah" and to 
receive the memorials of the body, which was broken, 
and the blood, that was shed for the remission of sin. 
The church at the time of his dismission consisted of 
298 members. Since that time the Lord has continued 
to bless us. His Spirit has descended like rain on 
the mown grass, and as showers that water the plain. 
From January, 1827, to the present time, ninety five 
persons have been admitted to the church, and many, 
whose residence with us was only temporary, have 
submitted to the dominion of Christ, and united with 
churches in the places of their permanent abode. 
The number, who appear to have been deeply and 
permanently affected in this revival is about one hund- 
red and fifty. This church now contains 376 mem- 
bers. Of these 132 are males, and 244 are females. 
To the repeated revivals which we have enjoyed it 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



21 



is owing, that union and harmony prevail. To these 
it is owing, that on the sabbath these sacred walls 
are filled with attentive hearers, and the table of the 
Lord surrounded by so many communicants. From 
them it results, that the chamber of disease is so often 
found to be full of consolation, and death is frequent- 
ly regarded only as an entrance into a state of inter- 
minable delight. For these glorious seasons we would 
here stop and record our devout gratitude, and if we 
ever forget top ray for their return, let our right hands 
forget their cunning, and our tongues cleave to the roof 
of our mouths* 

I have now given you a sketch of the events, which 
have specially affected this place from the time of its 
settlement to this day. However insignificant they 
may be in comparison with the history of states and 
empires, yet their bearing on our privileges and char- 
acters and destiny has been equally important with 
that of any other occurrences within the circle of our 
knowledge. They have been instrumental in giving 
form to the circumstances of our birth, of our early 
education, of our intellectual and moral improve- 
ment. They are the dispensations of Jehovah not 
with the whole familv of man nor with a single na- 
tion, but with us. Whilst the same unseen hand 
has been " working wonders" for the inhabitants of 
every other part of the earth, giving them occasion 
to think on his goodness and to be grateful for his 
care ; we ought to cherish a lively remembrance of 
those deeds by which our peace and prosperity have 

* See Appendix B. B. 



22 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE 

been procured. So far as we are concerned, they 
deserve to be commemorated. It is our duty to tell 
them to the successors of those, who endured numer- 
ous trials and obtained signal deliverance. It is our 
duty to commemorate the interpositions, by which 
our ancestors were rescued from the power of those, 
who sought their lives. It is our duty to examine the 
dispensations by which we have been brought to our 
present condition; and gratefully to tell them to the 
rising generation. These "are the Lord's doings 
and they are marvellous in our eyes. 5 ' They are cal- 
culated to affect our hearts and to influence us to fear 
him, who rules in heaven above and does his good 
pleasure amongst the children of men. He " has 
given you a land for which ye did not labor, and houses 
which ye built not, and ye dwell in them. Of the 
vineyards and olive yards which ye planted not, do 
ye eat ; now therefore serve him in sincerity and 

truth." 

But whilst these facts are calculated to excite our 
gratitude and to fill our minds with adoring views of 
our heavenly Father, they also furnish lessons of im- 
portant instruction. Here we may learn what char- 
acteristics are necessary to success in laying the foun- 
dations and raising the superstructure of society. 
We may understand, that this honor is not awarded 
to the irresolute, the profane, the intemperate, or the 
dcspisers of religion ; but to men of fixed purpose, of 
persevering industry, of irreproachable integrity, and 
of strong attachment to the institutions of the Gospel. 
In the history of our ancestors, you every where find 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



23 



the operation of these principles. What but firm- 
ness could have retained them in the midst of a wil- 
derness, rendered awfully dreary by remoteness from 
friends and constant exposures to injuries and death 
from the hands of those, whose tender mercies are 
cruelty ? What but integrity could have induced 
them fairly to purchase of the natives, the lands o n 
which ye dwell ? What but persevering industry 
could have subdued the forest, cultivated the plains, 
and crowned the hills with plenty? What but an 
ardent attachment to the institutions of religion could 
have impelled them amidst their earliest labors and in 
their low estate to rear a house for the worship of 
Jehovah ; and when flames kindled by a hostile hand 
laid their sanctuary in ruins, what but an unabated 
zeal for the interests of Zion urged them again to 
erect a building for God and liberally to provide for 
the continuance of the ministry amongst them ? 
Such were the characteristics of those whom Hea- 
ven selected to lay the foundations of our Institutions. 
The instrumentality of "just men, fearing God, hat- 
ing covetousness" and ready to endure privations and 
hardships for the sake of the truth and righteousness, 
He ever delights to employ and to bless. 

Our history also invites us to consider the relation, 
which we sustain to others. In looking back on the 
lives of our ancestors we admire their firmness and 
perseverance. We venerate their piety. There is 
something sublime in the fact of leaving their country 
and their home for the sake of enjoying the rights of 
conscience and the pure worship of God. There is 



24 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



something heroic in going to dwell, where fero- 
cious beasts and savage men cause sounds of ter- 
ror to circulate through a surrounding wilderness. 
There is something admirable in the care of our an- 
cestors for each other and for posterity. In the con- 
ditions of the first grant of lands to the inhabitants of 
this place, and in subsequent acts, we see by what el- 
evated views and feelings the government of the pro- 
vince was guided. Not content with conferring merely 
civil privileges on their infant settlements, they were 
anxious to secure to them the blessings of religion. 
They not only required our ancestors to make provi- 
sion for the perpetuation of the ministry, but cheer- 
fully assisted them by gifts from the public treasury. 
Whenever, therefore, you are invited to lend your 
aid in circulating the means of salvation ; remember 
that the institutions of religion were here sustained 
by the benefactions of others. The invaluable inher- 
itance left to you was cultivated partly by such means 
as you are often solicited to bestow on the destitute. 
In the history of our ancestors we also learn, that 
they were ready to make sacrifices for the enjoyment 
of the institutions of religion. When fewer than fifty 
families, remote from a place where their commodi- 
ties could be exchanged for currency, made ample 
provision for the settlement and continuence of their 
minister ; they gave incontestible evidence of their 
love to Christ and attachment to the interests of his 
Kingdom. And as we trace them onwards in their 
course and see the ardor of each generation for the 
promotion of every valuable object ; as we look around 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 25 

and view the edifices which they erected for the wor- 
ship of God ; the houses which they built for the in- 
struction of the young ; and the various means, which 
they provided for the good of those who should come 
after them ; can we refrain from feeling our obliga- 
tions to them and our responsibility to the next gene- 
ration ? our fathers where are they, and the prophets, 
do they live forever? We are the successors of those, 
who have been instrumental in raising society to its 
present state. We are the connecting link between 
all the past and all the future generations of men. 
The means of education have been put into our hands, 
and we are required to transmit them to our succes- 
sors. The ark of civil liberty rests on our shoulders, 
and we are required to bear it onwards in safety, till 
others arise to fill our places. The truths of religion 
have been committed to us, and we are commanded 
to teach them diligently [to the rising generation. 
The ordinances of divine worship have come down to 
us through many ages, that we may faithfully use and 
transmit them to others. Our obligations then are 
numerous. Our responsibilities immense. If we 
fail rightly to improve the privileges, for which our 
fathers toiled ; our guilt will be great. If we neg- 
lect to perpetuate them, the curses of posterity will 
fall heavily on our memories. And when we look 
back on the progress of this church, and consider its 
gradual advancement from its formation to this day, 
we cannot refrain from expressions of adoring thank- 
fulness. u Walk" now u about Zion, go round about 



26 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 

her ; tell the towers thereof, mark ye well her bulwarks, 
consider her palaces; that ye may tell it to the gene- 
ration to come ;" and leave it as a perpetual memento, 
that it is the word of God, received as truth, and ac- 
companied by the influences of the Holy Spirit, which 
has preserved arid enlarged this church ; and that this 
only can save it jrom extinction, and render it pros- 
perous in all future ages. The responsibility, then, 
of him, who shall stand here as your teacher, is great. 
By inculcating the same doctrines which have ever 
been taught in this sacred place, the church 4i built 
on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus 
Christ himself being the chief corner stone" will be 
" fitly framed together, and grow into an holy temple 
in the Lord." But if he neglect to teach these truths, 
if " through philosophy and vain deceit, after the 
tradition of men and after the rudiments of this 
world," he draw you away from the pure doctrines 
of the Gospel ; the slumber of death will pervade 
your families. The voice of prayer will cease to as- 
cend from your dwellings. Religious assemblies will 
diminish. The church will languish. The Holy 
Spirit will no longer descend upon us. Sinners will 
no more inquire " what they shall do to be saved ; 
and shouts of joy, called forth by their repentance, 
will no more circulate through heaven. O how great 
then must be the guilt ; how tremendous the doom 
of the minister, who shall here " pervert the right 
ways of the Lord !" O what woes shall descend on 
the ** son of perdition," who shall here diminish the 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 27 

fears of sinners, or encourage them to expect salva- 
tion on any other ground, than that of the blood of 
Christ ! " Good were it for that man, if he had not 
been born." And whilst you see this immense re- 
sponsibility resting on those, who occupy the station 
of teachers of religion, consider your own obligations 
to Christ and to posterity. " Search the Scriptures." 
Inquire diligently after truth. Investigate those ora- 
cles, which were " given by inspiration of God," and 
are " profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correc- 
tion, and for instruction in righteousness." "Take 
unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be 
able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all 
to stand. Stand, therefore, having your loins girt 
about with truth, and having on the breast-plate of 
righteousness and your feet shod with the preparation 
of the gospel of peace." " That ye be not tossed to 
and fro, and carried about with every wind of doc- 
trine, by the sleight of men and cunning craftiness, 
whereby they lie in wait to deceive, but speaking the 
truth in love may grow up into Him in all things, 
which is the head even Christ" By whom* " the 
whole body filly joined together and compacted by that, 
which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual 
working in the measure of every part maketh increase 
of the body unto the edifying of itself in love." 

A review of the dispensations of providence is 
calculated to impress our minds with the importance 
of increasing, as well as perpetuating the blessings 



* English Version, " From whom.' 



gg HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 

which we enjoy. Had not our ancestors acted on 
this principle, they would have remained in subjec- 
tion to an oppressive prelacy. They would never 
have crossed the mighty deep, to seek an asylum in 
the western Hemisphere. They would never have 
taken up their abode in the immense wilderness of 
America. Had those, who first arrived in this place, 
been content with a hare subsistence and with the 
few privileges, which they then enjoyed ; the forest 
would still have covered these hills and plains. These 
fields would never have been cultivated. These dwell- 
ings would never have been erected. These houses 
for the instruction of children and youth would never 
have been reared. These cheerful villages would 
not have risen. These temples for the worship of 
Jehovah would never have been built. It was care 
for those, who should come after them, that chiefly 
influenced our ancestors to cultivate the soil and to 
lay deep and broad the foundations of literary and 
ecclesiastical Institutions. It was the regard of each 
succeeding generation for the welfare of posterity, 
that has caused these blessings to accumulate in their 
descent to us. And shall we be content to hand 
down to the next generation only the inheritance 
which was left to us by our fathers ? Is it enough, 
that we preserve unimpaired the rights and privileges, 
which we have received ? Shall the stream of civil 
and religious blessings, which in passing each genera- 
tion became broader and deeper, receive no tributaries 
from us ? Can we do nothing to cause society to 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 29 

advance to that state of perfection, at which it is 
destined eventually to arrive, " when nation shall no 
more lift up sword against nation" and when there 
shall be nothing to molest or intimidate throughout 
the wide extent of God's earthly dominions ? Shall 
the wheel of civil and intellectual and moral improve- 
ment, which during two centuries has been increas- 
ing its rapidity, instead of receiving additional im- 
pulse, be retarded by our generation ? O let grati- 
tude for the blessings, which we inherit, impel us to 
make efforts for the good of those, who shall come 
after us. Let us endeavor to leave some memorials 
of our regard for future ages : and when our bodies 
shall have mingled with the dust, and our very names 
have been forgotten : may those, " who arise and 
declare" the " mighty acts of the Lord," find amongst 
their occasions of thankfulness, that their blessings 
were augmented by our generation. 



3* 



Extract of a Letter from Lemuel Shattuck. 

Concord, July 16th, 1829- 

Dear Sir, 

Inclosed I send you cm imperfect copy of the Nar- 
rative of Capt. Thomas Wheeler, which I promised you some 
lime since. Jls the whole is not printed, I have copied the re- 
maining and closing part from one in my possession which 
renders it complete. — If in any thing 1 can aid you in com- 
piling the history of your town, I shall be much pleased to do 
it. — If you have obtained jt copy of your Sermon, I should 
like one. **♦#***#' 

Lemuel Shattuck. 
Rev. Joseph I. Foot, 
Brookfield. 



CAPT. THOMAS WHEELER'S NARRATIVE, 



OF AN EXPEDITION WITH CAPT. EDWARD HUTCHINSON IN- 
TO THE NIPMUCK COUNTRY, AND TO QUABOAG, NOW 
BROOKFIELD, MASS., FIRST PUBLISHED 1675. 



[The following Narrative is very scarce, and must have b^en so when Got. 
Hutchinson wrote his History of Massachusetts as it does not appear, in giv- 
ing an account of the Expedition, (Hist. Mass. Vol. I 265,) in which his an- 
cestor sustained such an important part and lost his life, that the historian has- 
made any reference whatever to Capt. Wheeler's Narrative, which he would 
most likely have done had he known of its existence. The following is print- 
ed from a copy which appears to have belonged to Deputy Governor Danforth, 
of Cambridge, and which has been obligingly furnished the Publishing Com- 
mittee by a Gentleman of Salem, Ms. who is known for his very minute and 
thorough researches in the early history of our country. A few notes have 
been handed the Committee by a member of the Society.] 



A True Narrative of the Lord's Providences in various dis- 
pensations towards Captain Edward Hutchinson of Boston 
and my self, and those that went with us into the Nipmuch 
Country, and also to Quaboag. alias Brook-field: The said 
Captain Hutchinson having a Commission from the Honored 
Council of this Colony to treat with several Sachems in those 
parts, in order to the public peace, and myself being also or- 
dered by t/ie said Council, to accompany him with part of my 
troop for security from any danger that might be from the 
Indians : and to assist him in the transaction of matters com- 
mitted to him. 

The said Captain Hutchinson,* and myself, with about twen- 



♦Capt. Hutchinson had a very considerable farm in Nipmug country, and 
had occasion to employ several of the Nipmug sachem's men in tilling and 
ploughing the ground, and thereby was known to the face cf many of Them. 
The sachems sent word thatthey would speak with none but Capt. Hutchinso* 
himself, and appointed a meeting at such a tree and such a time. The guide 
that conducted him and those that were with him through the woods, brought 
them to a swamp [as stated in the Narrative] not far off the appointed place. 



32 



WHEELERS NARRATIVE. 



ty men or more marched from Cambridge to Sudbury, July 28, 
1675; and from thence nto the Nipmuck Country, and finding 
that the Indians had deserted their towns, and we having gone 
until we came within two miles of New Norwich, on July 31, 
(only we saw two Indians having an horse with them, whom we 
would have spoke with, but they fled from us and left their 
horse, which we took,) we then thought it not expedient to 
march any further that way, but set our march for Brookfield, 
whither we came on the Lord's day about noon. From thence 
the same day, (being August I,) we understanding that the In- 
dians were about ten miles north west from us, we sent out 
four men to acquaint the Indians that we were not come to 
harm them, but our business was only to deliver a Message 
from our Honored Governor and Council to them, and to re- 
ceive their answer, we desiring to come to a Treaty of Peace 
with them, (though they had for several days fled from us,) 
they having before professed friend.^hip, and promised fidelity 
to the English. When the messengers came to them they made 
an alarm, and gathered together about an hundred and fifty 
fighting men as near as they could judge. The young men 
amongst them were stmt in their speeches, and surly in their 
carriage. But at length some of the chief Sachems promised 
to meet us on the next morning about 8 of the clock upon a 
plain within three miles of Brookfield, with which answer the 



out of which those Indiana ran all at once and killed sixteen [but S as in Nar- 
rative] men, and wounded several others, of which wounds Capt. Hutchinson 
afterwards died, whose death is the more lamented in that his mother and 
several others of his relation died by the hands of the Indians, now above 30 
years since. Ms. Letter sent to London, dated Nov. 10, 1675, as quoted by 
Gov. Hutchinson, I. 266. 

Capt. Hutchinson belonged to Hoston and had been one of its representa- 
tives, and considerably in public life. He was son of William and the cele- 
brated Ann Hutchinson, and was brother-in-law to Major Thomas Savage, 
of Boston, who married Faith, the sister of Capt. H. He was the father of 
the Hon. Klisha Hutchinson, one of the Counsellors of Massachusetts, who 
died 10th December, 1717, aged 77. The last was father of Hon. Thomas 
Hutchinson, born 30th January, 1671; died 3d December, 1739, whose son, 
Gov. Thomas Hutchinson, born 9th September, 171 1, was the celebrated 
historian of Massachusetts. I Savage's Winthrop, 246. It is a little singular 
that the Gov. should not have met with a Narrative so particular respecting 
(be fate of hid great ancestor. 



WHEELER'S NARRATIVE. 33 

messengers returned to us. Whereupon, though their speeches 
and carriage did much discourage divers of our company, yet 
wc conceived that we had a clear call to go to meet them at 
the place whither they had promised to come. Accordingly we 
with our men accompanied with three of the principal inhabit- 
ants of that town marched to the plain appointed ; but the treach- 
erous heathen intending mischief, (if they could have opportu- 
nity,) came not to the said place, and so failed our hopes of 
speaking with them there. Whereupon the said Captain Hutch- 
inson and myself, with the rest of our company, considered what 
was best to be done, whether we should go any further towards 
them or return, divers of us apprehending much danger in case 
we did proceed, because the Indians kept not promise there with 
us. But the three men who belonged to Orookfield were so 
strongly persuaded of their freedom from any ill intentions 
towards us, (as upon other bounds, so especially because the 
greatest part of those Indians belonged to David, one of their 
chief Sachems, who was taken to be a great friend to the Eng- 
lish :) that the said Captain Hutchinson who was principally in- 
trusted with the matter of Treaty with them, was thereby en- 
couraged to- proceed and march forward towards a Swamp 
where the Indians then were. When we came near the said 
swamp, the way was so very bad that we could march only in a 
single file, there being a very rocky hill on the right hand, and 
a thick swamp on the left, in which there were many of 
those cruel blood-thirsty heathen, who there way laid us, wait- 
ing an opportunity to cut us off; there being also much brush 
on the side of the said hill, where they lay in ambush to sur- 
prize us.* When we had marched there about sixty or seventy 



* [It seems from a note in Hutchinson's History of Massachusetts, that the 
Indians took a prisoner of the name of George, a christian Indian, who af- 
terwards reported that Philip ;ind his compmy of about 40 men, besides wo- 
men and children, joined the Nipmack Indians in a swamp, ten or twelve 
miles from Brookfield on the 5th of August. « The Indians told Philip, at 
his first coming, what they had done to the English at Quaboag: Then ho 
presented and give to three Sagamores, viz. John alias Apequinash, Q,uan- 
anset, and Mawtamps, to each of them about a peck of unstrung wampum, 
which they accepted." Philip w.s conducted to the swamp by two Indians, 
one of whom was Caleb of Tatumasket, beyond Mendon.] 



34 WHEELER'S NARRATIVE. 

rods, the said perfidious Indians sent out their shot upon us as 
a shower of hail, they being, (as was supposed,) about two 
hundred men or more. We seeing ourselves so beset, and not 
having room to fight, endeavored to fly for the safety of our 
lives. In which flight we were in no small danger to be all cut 
off, there being a very miry swamp before us, into which we 
could not enter with our horses to go forwards, and there being 
no safety in retreating the way we came, because many of our 
company, who lay behind the bushes, and had let us pass by 
them quietly ; when others had shot, they came out, and stopt 
our way back, so that we were forced as we could to get up the 
steep and rocky hill ; but the greater our danger was, the great- 
er was God's mercy in the preservation of so many of us from 
sudden destruction. Myself being gone up part of the hill 
without any hurt, and perceiving some of my men to be fallen 
by the enemies' shot, I wheeled about upon the Indians, not 
caJling on my men who were left to accompany me, which they 
in all probability would have done had they known of my return 
upon the enemy. They fired violently out of the swamp, and 
from behind the bushes on the hill side wounded me sorely, and 
shot my horse under rue, so that he faultering and falling, I was 
forced to le;ive him, divers of the Indians being then but a few 
rods distan 1 from me. My son Thomas Wheeler flying with 
the rest of the company, missed me amongst them, and fearing 
that 1 was either slain or much endangered, returned towards 
the swamp a<r;iin, though he had then received a dangerous 
wound in the reins, where he saw me in the danger aforesaid. 
Whereupon, he endeavored to rescue me, shewing himself 
therein a loving and dutiful son, he adventuring himself into 
great peril of his life to help me in that distress, there being 
many of the enemies about me, my son set me on his own 
horse, and so escaped a while on foot himself, until he caught an 
horse whoserider was slain, on which lie mounted, and.so through 
God's great mercy we both escaped. JJut in this attempt for 
my deliverance he received another dangerous wound by their 
•hot in his left arm. There were then slain to our great grief 



WHEELER'S NARRATIVE. £5 

eight men, viz. — Zechariah Phillips of Boston, Timothy Far- 
low,* of Billericay, Edward Coleborn, of Chelmsford, Samuel 
Smedly, of Concord, Svdrach Hopgood, of Sudbury, Serjeant 
Eyres, f Serjeant Prichard,J and Corporal Coy,§ the inhabitant! 
of Brookfield, aforesaid. It being the good pleasure of God, 
that they should all there fall by their hands, of whose good in- 
tentions they were so confident, and whom they so little mis- 
trusted. There were also then five persons wounded, viz. — 
Captain Hutchinson, myself, and my son Thomas, as aforesaid, 
Corporal French,^} of Billericay, who having killed an Indian, 
was (as he was taking up his gun), shot, and part of one of his 
thumbs taken off, and also dangerously wounded through the 
body near the shoulder ; the fifth was John Waldoe, of Chelms- 
ford, who was not so dangerously wounded as the rest. They 
also then killed five of our horses, and wounded some more, 
which soon died after they came to Brookfield. Upon this sud- 
den and unexpected blow given us, (wherein we desire to look 
higher than man the instrument,) we returned to the town as 
fast as the badness of the way, and the weakness of our wound- 
ed men would permit, we being then ten miles from it. All 
the while we were going, we durst not stay to stanch the bleed- 
ing of our wounded men, for fear the enemy should have sur- 
prized us again, which they attempted to do, and had in prob- 
ability done, but that we perceiving which way they went, 
wheeled off to the oiher hand, and so by God's good providence 
towards us, they missed us, and we all came readily upon, and 
safely to the town, though none of us knew the way to it, those 
of the place being slain, as aforesaid, and we avoiding any thick 
woods and riding in open places to prevent danger by them. 
Being got to the town, we speedily betook ourselves to one of 
the largest and strongest houses therein, where we fortified our- 



* Timothy Farley was son of George Farley, one of the first settlers of 
Billerica, 

t John Ayres. % Joseph Pritchard. § John Cove. 

If Corporal John French was son of Lieut. William French of Billerica. 
He went from Cambridge wilh his father to Billerica, about 1654, and Jived 
there until his death in October, 1712, aged about 78. 



36 



WHEELERS NARRATIVE. 



selves inthebest manner we could in such straits of time, and 
there resolved to keep garrison, though we were but few, and 
meanly fitted to make re-i^ance against so furious enemies- 
The news of the Indi ins' treacherous dealing with us, and the 
loss of so many of our company thereby, did so amaze the in- 
habitants of lie town, that they being informed thereof by us, 
presently left their houses, divers of them carrying very little 
away with them, they being afraid of the Indians sudden com- 
ing upon them ; and so came to the house we were entered in- 
to, very meanly provided of cloathing or furnished with provi- 
sions. 

I perceiving myself to be disenabled for the discharge of the 
duties of my place by reason of the wound I had received, and 
apprehending that the enemy would soon come to spoil the town 
and assault us in the house, I appointed Simon Davis, of Con- 
cord, James Richardson,* and John Fiske.f of Chelmsford, 
to man;ige affairs for our safety with those few men whom God 
hath left us, and were fit for any service, and the inhabitants 
of the said town ; who did well and commendably perform the 
duties of the trust committed to them with much courage and 
resolutiou through the assistance of our gracious God, who did 
not leave us in our low and distressed state, but did mercifully 
appear for us in our greatest need, as in the sequel will clearly 
be manifested. Within two hours after our coming to the said 
house, or less, the said Captain Hutchinson and myself posted 
away Epraim Curtis, of Sudbury, and Henry Young, of Con- 
cord, to go to the Honored Council at Boston, to give them 
an account of the Lord's dealing with us, and our present con- 
dition. When they came to the further end of the town they 



* James Richardson is supposed to have been brother to Capt. Josiah 
Richardson, of Chelmsford, who died 22 July, 1695, the ancestor of the 
Hon. Judge Richardson, of Chester. He went from Woburn, the hive from 
which issued most of the Richardsons, to Chelmsford, in 166 — . The first 
Richardson who came to the Massachusetts colony was Ezekiel Richardson, 
who was made a freeman, in May, 1631, and was afterwards a deputy of 
the General Court Samuel and Thomas were made freemen, 2 May, 1638, 
and they settled in Woburn, as did also, it is believed, Ezekiel, though not 
upon his first coming here. 

t John Fiske was son of Rev. John Fiske, first minister of Chelmsford. 



WHEELERS NARRATIVE. 37 

saw the enemy rifling of houses which the inhabitant! had for- 
saken. The post fired upon them, and immediately returned 
to us again, they discerning no safety in going forward and being 
desirous to inform us of the enemies' actings, that we might 
the more prepare for a sudden assault by them. Which indeed 
presently followed, for as soon as the said post was come back 
to us, the barbarous heathen pressed upon us in' the house with 
great violence, sending in their shot amongst us like hail, 
through the walls, and shouting as if they would have swallow- 
ed us up alive ; but our good God wrought wonderfully for us, 
so that there was but one man wounded within the house, viz. 
— the said Henry Young, who, looking out of the garret win- 
dow that evening, was mortally wounded by a shot, of which 
wound he died within two days after. There was the same 
day another man slain, but not in the house; a son of Serjeant 
Prichard's adventuring out of the house wherein we were, to 
his father's house not far from it, to fetch more goods out of 
it, was caught by these cruel enemies as they were coming to- 
wards us, who cut off his head, kicking it about like a foot-ball, 
and then putting it upon a pole, they set it up before the door 
of his father's house in our sight. 

The night following the said blow, they did roar against us 
like so many wild bulls, sending in their shot amongst us till 
towards the moon rising, which was about three of the clock; 
at which time they attempted to fire our house by hay and other 
combustible matter which they brought to one corner Df the 
house, and set it on fire. Whereupon some of our company 
were necessitated to expose themselves to very great danger to 
put it out. Simon Davis, one of the three appointed by myself 
as Captain, to supply my place by reason of my wounds, as 
aforesaid, he being of a lively spirit, encouraged the soldiers 
within the house to fire upon the Indians ; and also those that 
adventured out to put out the fire, (which began to rage and 
kindle upon the house side,) with these and the like words, that 
God is with us, and fights for us, and will deliver us out of the 
hands of these heathen ; which expressions of his the Indians 
hearing, they shouted and scoffed, saying : now see how your 
4 



38 



WHEELER'S NARRATIVE. 



God delivers you, or icill deliver you, sending in many shots 
whilst oar men were putting out the fire. But the Lord of 
Hosts wrought very graciously for us, in preserving our bodies 
both within and without the house from their shot, and our 
house from being consumed by fire, we had but two men 
wounded in that attempt of theirs, but we apprehended that we 
killed divers of our enemies. I being desirous to hasten intelli- 
gence to the Honored Council, of our present great distress, 
we being so remote from any succor, (it being between sixty 
and seventy miles from us to Boston, where the Council useth 
to sit) and fearing our ammunition would not last long to with- 
stand them, if they continued so to assault us, I spake to 
Ephraim Curtis to adventure forth again on that service, and to 
attempt it on foot, as the way wherein there was most hope of 
getting away undiscovered ; he readily assented, and according- 
ly went out, but there were so many Indians every where there- 
abouts, that he could not pass, without apparent hazard of life, 
so he came back again, but towards morning the said Ephraim 
adventured forth the third time, and was fain to creep on his 
hands and knees for some space of ground, that he might not 
be discerned by the enemy, who waited to prevent our sending 
if they could have hindered it. But through God's mercy he 
escaped their hands, and got safely to Marlborough, though 
very much spent, and ready to faint by reason of want of sleep 
before he went from us, and his sore travel night and day in 
that hot season till he got thither, from whence he went to 
Boston ; yet before the said Ephraim got to Marlborough, 
there was intelligence brought thither of the burning of some 
houses, and killing some cattle at duabaug, by some who were 
going to Connecticut, but they seeing what was done at the 
end of the town, and hearing several guns shot off further 
within the town, they durst proceed no further, but immediate* 
ly returned to Marlborough, though they then knew not what 
had befallen Captain Hutchinson and myself, and company, nor 
of our being there, but that timely intelligence they gave before 
Ephraim Curtis his coming to Marlborough, occasioned the 



WHEELER'S NARRATIVE. 



39 



Honored Major Willard's turning his march towards Quabaug, 
for their relief who were in no small danger every hour of be- 
ing destroyed; the said Major being, when he had that intelli- 
gence, upon his march another way, as he was ordered by the 
Honored Council, as is afterwards more fully expressed. 

The next day being August 3d, they continued shooting and 
shouting, and proceeded in their former wickedness, blasphem- 
ing the name of the Lord, and reproaching us, his afflicted ser- 
vants, scoffing at our prayers as they were sending in their shot 
upon all quarters of the house and many of them went to the 
town's meeting house, (which was within twenty rods of the 
house in which we were) who mocked saying, come and pray, 
and sing psalms, and in contempt made an hideous noise some- 
what resembling singing. Bat we, to our power, did endeav- 
our our defence, sending our shot amongst them, the Lord giv- 
ing us courage to resist them, and preserving us from the de- 
struction they sought to bring upon us. On the evening fol- 
lowing, we saw our enemies carrying several of their dead or 
wounded men on their backs, who proceeded that night to send 
in their shot, as they had done the night before, and also still 
shouted as if the day had been certainly theirs, and they should 
without fail, have prevailed against us, which they might have 
the more hopes of in regard that we discerned the coming of 
new companies to them to assist and strengthen them, and the 
unlikelihood of any coming to our help. They also used sev- 
eral stratagems to fire us, namely, by wild fire in cotton and 
linen rags with brimstone in them, which rags they tyed to 
the piles of their arrows, sharp for the purpose, and shot them 
to the roof of our house, after they had set them on fire, which 
would have much endangered the burning thereof, had we not 
used means by cutting holes through the roof, and otherwise, 
to beat the said arrows down, and God being pleased to prosper 
our endeavors therein.— They carried more combustible mat- 
ter, as flax and hay, to the sides of the house, and set it on fire, 
and then flocked apace towards the door of the house, either to 
prevent our going forth to quench the fire, as we had done be- 



^Q WHEELER'S NARRATIVE. 

fore, or to kill our men in their attempt to go forth, or else to 
break into the house by the door ; whereupon we were forced 
to break down the wall of the house against the fire to put it 
out. They also shot a ball of wild fire into the garret of the 
house, which fell amongst a great heap of flax or tow therein, 
which one of our soldiers, through God's good Providence 
espycd, and having water ready presently quenched it; and so 
we were preserved by the keeper of Israel, both our bodies 
from their shot, which they sent thick against us, and, and the 
house from being consumed to ashes, although we were but 
weak to defend ourselves, we being not above twenty and six 
men with those of that small town, who were able for any ser- 
vice, and our enemies, as I judged them about, (if not above,) 
three hundred, I speak of the least, for many there present did 
guess them to be four or five hund^d. It is the more to be 
observed, that so little hurt should be done by the enemies' 
shot, it commonly piercing the Avails of the house, and flying 
amongst the people, and there being in the house fifty women 
and children besides the men before mentioned. But abroad 
in the yard, one Thomas Wilson of that town, being sent to 
fetch water for our help in further need, (that which we had 
being spent in putting out the fire.) was shot by the enemy in 
the upper jaw and in the neck, the anguish of which wound was 
such at the first that he cried out with a great noise, by reason 
whereof the Indians hearing him rejoiced, and triumphed at it ; 
but his wound was healed in a short time, praised be God. 

On Wednesday, August the 4th, the Indians fortified them- 
selves at the meeting house, and the barn, belonging to our 
house, which they fortified both at the great doors, and at both 
ends, with posts, rail s, boards, and hay, to save themselves from 
our shot. They also devised other stratagems, to fire our 
house, on the night following, namely, they took a cart, and fil- 
led it with ilax, hay and candle-wood, and other combustible 
matter, and set up planks, fastened to the cart, to save them- 
selves from the danger of our shot. Another invention they 
had to make the more sure work in bu'uing the house. They 



WHEELER'S NARRATIVE. 4 J 

got many poles of a considerable length and bigness, and splic- 
ed them together at the ends one of another, and made a car- 
riage of them about fourteen rods long, setting the poles in two 
rows, with peils laid cross over them at the front end, and di- 
viding them said poles about three foot asunder, and in the said 
front of this their carriage they set a barrel, having made an 
hole through both heads, and put an axle-tree through them, to 
which they fastened the said poles, and under every joint of 
the poles where they were spliced, they set up a pair of truckle 
wheels to bear up the said carriages, and they loaded the front 
or fore-end thereof with matter fit for firing, as hay, and flax, 
and chips, &c. Two of these instruments they prepared, that 
they might convey fire to the house, with the more safety to 
themselves, they standing at such a distance from our shot, 
whilst they wheeled them to the house : great store of arrows 
they had also prepared to shoot fire upon the house that night; 
which we found after they were gone, they having left them 
there. But the Lord who is a present help in times of trouble, 
and is pleased to make his people's extremity his opportunity, 
did graciously prevent them of effecting what they hoped they 
should have done by the aforesaid devices, partly by sending a 
shower of rain in season, whereby the matter prepared being 
wet would not so easily take fire as it otherwise would have 
done, and partly by aid coming to our help. For our danger 
would have been very great that night, had not the only wise 
God (blessed for ever) been pleased to send to us about an hour 
within night the worshipful Major Williard with Captain Par- 
ker of Groton, and forty-six men more with five Indians to re- 
lieve us in the low estate into which we were brought; our 
eyes were unto him the holy one of Israel ; in him we desired 
to place our trust, hoping that he would in the time of our great 
need appear for our deliverance, and confound all their plots by 
which they thought themselves most sure to prevail against us ; 
and God who comforteth the afflicted; as he comforted the holy 
apostle Paul by the coming of Titus to him, so he greatly com- 
forted us his distressed servants both soldiers and town inhab- 
4* 



42 



WHEELER'S NARRATIVE. 



itants, by the coming of the said Honored Major, and those 
with him. In whose so soon coming to us the good providence 
of God did marvellously appear ; for the help that came to us 
by the Honored Council's order (after the tidings they receiv- 
ed by our post sent to them) came not to us till Saturday, Au- 
gust 7, in the afternoon, nor sooner could it well come in- re- 
gard of their distance from us, i. e. if we had not had help be- 
fore that time, we see not how we could have held out, the num- 
ber of the Indians so increasing, and they making so many as- 
saults upon us, that our ammunition before that time would 
have been spent, and ourselves disenabled for any resistance, 
we being but few, and always fain to stand upon our defence; 
that we had lit tie time for refreshment of ourselves either by 
food or sleep; the said Honored Major's coming to us so soon 
was thus occasioned ; he had a commission from the Honored 
Council (of which himself was one) to look after some Indians 
to the west-ward of Lancaster and Groton, (where he himself 
lived) and to secure them, and was upon his march towards 
them on the aforesaid Wednesday in the morning, August 4th, 
when tidings coming to Marlborough by those that returned 
thither as they were going to Connecticut, concerning what 
they saw at Brookfield as aforesaid, some of Marlborough know- 
ing of the said Major's march from Lancaster that morning, 
presently sent a post to acquaint him with the information they 
had received ; the Major was gone before the post came to 
Lancaster; but there was one speedily sent after him, who 
overtook him about five or six miles from the said town ; he 
being acquainted, that it was feared, that Brookfield (a small 
town of about fifteen or sixteen families) was either destroyed, 
or in great danger thereof, and conceiving it to require more 
fpeed to succour them (if they were not past help) than to 
proceed at present, as he before intended, and being also very 
desirous (if it were possible) to afford relief to them, (he being 
then not above thirty miles from them) he immediately altered 
his course and marched with his company toward us ; and came 
to us about an hour after it was dark as aforesaid ; though he 



WHEELER'S NARRATIVE. 43 

knew not then, either of our being there nor of what had befal- 
len us at the swamp and in the house those two days before. 

The merciful providence of God also appeared in preventing 
the danger that the Honored Major and his company might 
have been in, when they came near us, for those beastly men, 
our enemies, skilful to destroy, endeavored to prevent any help 
from coming to our relief, and therefore sent down sentinels, 
(some nearer and some further off) the furtherest about two miles 
from us, who if they saw any coming from the bay they might 
give notice by an alarm. And there were about an hundred of 
them who for the most part kept at an house some little dis- 
tance from us, by which if any help came from the said bay; 
they must pass, and so they intended (as we conceive) having 
notice by their sentinels of their approach to way-lay them, and 
if they could, to cut ihem off before they came to the house 
where we kept. 

But as we probably guess, they were so intent and busy in 
preparing their instruments (as abovesaid) for our destruction 
by fire, that they were not at the house where they used to keep 
for the purpose aforesaid, and that they heard not their senti- 
nels when they shot; and so the Major's way was clear from 
danger till he came to our house. And that it was their pur- 
pose so to have fallen upon hina, or any other comino- to us at 
that house, is the more probable in that (as we have since had 
intelligence from some of the Indians themselves) there wer,e a 
party of them at another place who let him pass by them with- 
out the least hurt or opposition, waiting for a blow to be given 
him at the said house, and then they themselves to fall upon 
them in the rear, as they intended to have done with us at the 
swamp, in case we had fled back as before expressed. The 
Major and company were no sooner come to the house, and un- 
derstood (though at first they knew not they were English who 
were in the house, but thought that they might be Indians, and 
therefore were ready to have shot at us, till wo discerning they 
were English by the Major's speaking, I caused the trumpet to 
be sounded) that the said Captain Hutchinson, myself, and 



44 



WHEELER'S NARRATIVE. 



company with the town's inhabitants were there, but the Indiana 
also discerned that there were some come to our assistance, 
whereupon they spared not their shot, but poured it out on 
them : but through the Lord's goodness, though they stood not 
far asunder one from another, they killed not one man, wound- 
ed only two of his company ; and killed the Major's son's *horse ; 
after that, we within the house perceived the Indians shooting 
so at them, we hastened the Major and all his company into the 
house as fast as we could, and their horses into a little yard 
before the house, where they wounded five other horses that 
night ; after they were come into the house to us, the enemies 
continued their shooting some considerable time, so that we may 
well say, had not the Lord been on our side when these cruel 
heathens rose up against us, they had then swallowed us up 
quick, when their wrath was kindled against us. But wherein 
they dealt proudly, the Lord was above them. 

When they saw their divers designs unsuccessful, and their 
hopes therein disappointed, they then fired the house and barn 
(wherein they had before kept to lie in wait to surprise any 
coming to us) that by the light thereof they might the better di- 
rect their shot at us, but no hurt was done thereby, praised be 



* It docs not appear which of the Major's nine sons is referred to. Of a 
family which has afforded so many descendants, and some of them highly 
distinguished, it may be proper to give their names and the times of their 
births, so far as they have been ascertained after the most patient and diligent 
research. 

1. Josiah Willard; (no record of his birth has been found.) He married 
Hannah Hosmer in 1657. 

2. Simon Willard, born 31st January, 1640. It has been conjectured that 
this date must refer to Samuel's birth, and that a mistake was made in the 
name. 

3. Samuel Willard : (the time of his birth has not been ascertaioed.) He 
married Abigail Sherman, and after her death, Eunice Tyng. 

4. Henry Willard, born 4th June, 1655. 

5. John "Willard, born 12th February, 1657. 

6. Daniel Willard, born 26th December, 165S. 

7. Joseph Willard, born 4th April, 1660. 

8. Benjamin Willard, born (time not ascertained.) 

9. Jonathan Willard, born 14th December, 1669. 
The first six were probably born in Concord, Ms. 

The 7th and 9th and perhaps the Sth were born in Lancaster. Further 
notice of this family may be found in Farmer § Moore's Collections, Vol. I. 



WHEELER'S NARRATIVE. 45 

the Lord. And not long after they burnt the meeting house 
wherein their fortifications were, as also the barn, which be- 
longed to our house, and so perceiving more strength come to 
our assistance, they did, as we suppose, despair of effecting any 
more mischief against us. And therefore the greatest part of 
them, towards the breaking of the day, August the fifth, went 
away and Jeft us, and we were quiet from any further molesta- 
tions by them ; and on the morning we went forth of the house 
without danger, and so daily afterwards, only one man was 
wounded about two days after, as he was out to look after hor- 
ses, by some few of them skulking therebouts. We cannot tell 
how many of them were killed, in all that lime, but one that 
was afterwards taken, confessed that there were killed and wound- 
ed, about eighty men or more. Blessed be the Lord God of 
our salvation, who kept us from being all a prey to their teeth. 
But before they went away they burnt all the town except the 
house we kept in, and another that was not then finished, 
They also made great spoil of the cattle belonging to the inhab- 
itants ; and after our entrance into the house, and during the 
time of our confinement there, they either killed or drove away 
almost all the horses of our company. 

We continued there, both well and wounded, towards a fort- 
night, and August the 10th Capt. Hutchinson and myself with 
the men there that had escaped without hurt, and also some of 
the wounded, came from them ; my son Thomas and some other 
wounded men, came not from them, being not then able to en- 
dure travelling so far as from thence to the next town, till about 
a fortnight afterwards. We came to Marlborough on August 
the 14th, when Capt. Hutchinson being not recovered of his 
wounds before his coming from Brookfield, and overtired with 
his long journey, by reason of his weakness, soon after grew 
worse, and more dangerously ill, and on the 19th day of the 
same month, died, and was there the next day after buried ; — the 
Lord being pleased to deny him a return to his own habitation, 
and his relatives at Boston, though he was come the greatest 
pirt of his journey thitherward. The inhabitants of the town 



45 WHEELER'S NARRATIVE. 

also, not long after, men, women, and children, removed safely 
with what they had left, to several places, either where they had 
lived before their planting or setting down there, or where they 
had relatives to receive and entertain them. The Honored Major 
Willard stayed at Brookfield some weeks after our coming away, 
there being several companies of soldiers sent up thither and to 
Hadley, and the towns thereabouts, which are about thirty miles 
from Brookfield, whither also the Major went for a time upon 
the service of the country in the present war, and from whence 
there being need of his presence for the ordering of matters 
concerning his own regiment, and the safety of the towns be- 
longing to it, he through God's goodness and mercy returned in 
safety to his home and dear relatives at Groton. 

Thus I have endeavored to set down and declare both what 
the Lord did against us in the loss of several person's lives, and 
the wounding of others, some of which wounds were very pain- 
ful in dressing, and long ere they were healed, besides many 
dangers we were in, and fears we were exercised with ; and also 
what great things He was pleased to do for us, in frustrating 
their many attempts, and vouchsafing such a deliverance to us. 
The Lord avenge the blood that has been shed by these heathen, 
who hate us without a cause, though he be most righteous in 
all that hath befallen us there, and all other parts of the country, 
he help us to humble ourselves before him, and with our whole 
hearts, to return to him, and also to improve all his mercies, 
which we still enjoy, that so his anger may cease towards us, 
and he m^y be pleased either to make our enemies at peace 
with us, or may destroy them before us. I tarried at Marlbo- 
rough with Capt. Hutchinson until his death, and came here to 
Concord, August 21, (though not then quite recovered of my 
wound) and so did others that went with me. But since I am 
reasonably well, though I have not the use of my hand and arm 
as before : my son Thomas, though in great hazard of his life 
for some time after his return to Concord, yet is now very well 
cured, and his strength well restored ! Oh, that we could praise 
the Lord for his great goodness towards us, that he was pleased 



WHEELER'S NARRATIVE. 47 

d spare so many of us, and add unto our days : he help us 
rhose souls he hath delivered from death and eyes from tears, and 
jet from falling, to walk before him in the land of the living, 
ill our great change come, and to sanctify his name in all his 
rays about us, that our afflictions and our mercies may guide 
is to live more to his glory all our days." 



APPENDIX 



In collecting materials for the preceding discourse various 
difficulties have been encountered. No records kept by the 
town previously to 1675 have come down to us. Of those, 
which commence in 1687, some were destroyed by the burning 
of the clerk's office ; and the rest excepting such as relate to 
the last 40, or 50 years, are so impaired and mutilated, that it is 
difficult to obtain from them even a general view of the progress 
of the town. The records of the church, if any had been kept, 
previously to 1755, were destroyed or lost more than 50 years 
ago. As this was an insulated settlement, its early history can- 
not be learned from the records of the towns, by which it is now 
surrounded. The following notes collected from various sour- 
ces are annexed for the purpose of substantiating statements 
made in the discourse, of illustrating the character of the 
times and of preserving the knowledge of several facts, which 
could not be introduced into the Sermon. 



The occasion of this notice was, that in the year 1647, three 
Indians living between this place and Springfield were murder- 
ed by other Indians ; and in the spring of 1648, five others 
were killed about halfway from this place to Lancaster. On ac- 
count of these murders some of the Quaboag Indians made 
friendship with Cutshamoquin sachem of the Massachusetts. They 
influenced him to procure the Reverend Mr. Elliot to go to the 
Deputy Governor and solicit his assistance in taking the mur 
5 



50 



APPENDIX. 



derers. An order to assist the Quaboag Indians was forwarded 
10 William Pynchon, Esq. of Springfield. In his reply Mr. 
Pynchon exposed the subtlety of the Indians, shewed that 
though they were within the line of this province and subjects 
of Cutshamoquin, yet neither the murdered, nor the murderers, 
were subjects of the Government, and that by assisting these In- 
dians the English would expose themselves to an injurious and 
destructive war. These statements produced a reversal of the 
order. The Indians of this section of the country are thus de_ 
scribed. " There are several small factions at Q,uaboag, and in 
nil near places there are other small factions. No one faction 
doth rule all. And one of these petty factions hath made friend- 
ship with Cutshamoquin, but I believe they will stick no longer 
to him than the sun shines upon him." 

See Winthrop's journal, Appendix vol. 2, p. 384. 

By " Quaboag and all near places," it is not improbable, that 
Mr. Pynchon intended to comprehend the Nipmuc country ge- 
nerally. The principal settlements of Indians were in Wesha- 
kim alias Nashua (Lancaster,) Quaboag (Brookfield) Man- 
choag (Oxford,) Chabanakongkomum (Dudley,) Waeuntug 
(Uxbridge,) Hassanemesset (Grafton,) Packahoag (part of 
Worcester and Ward) Maanexit Wabquisset and Quantisset 
(Woodstock,) Conn. 

B. 

At a General Court of Election held at Boston the 20th May 
1660. 

In answer to the petition of several inhabitants of Ipswich; 
ihis Court judgeth it meet to grant the petitioners six miles 
square, or so much land, as shall be contained in such a compass 
in a place near duaboag Pond : provided they have twenty 
families there resident within three years and that they have 
an able m inister settled there within said term, such as this 
Court shall approve ; and that they make due provision in some 
way or other for the future; either by setting apart of lands, or 



APPENDIX. 51 

what else shall be thought meet for the continuance of the min- 
istry amongst them ; and that if they shall fail in any of the pai- 
ticulars aforementioned ; this grant of the Court to be void and 
of no effect. 



" These presents testify, that Shattoockquis, alias Shadookis 
the sole and proper owner of certain lands at Quaboag here- 
after named, hath for good and valuable considerations, him the 
said Shattoeckquis, thereunto moving ; given, granted, bargain- 
ed and sold, and by these presents doth fully, clearly, and abso- 
lutely give, grant, bargain and sell unto Ensign Thomas Cooper 
of Springfield, for the use and behoof of the present English 
planters at Q-uaboag and their associates and their successors 
and to them and their heirs forever, certain parcels of land at, 
towards or about the north end of Quaboag pond, that is to say, 
beginning at a little meadow at the north end of the pond Qua- 
boag, which meadow is called Podunk, with the land about it, 
and so to a little hill Wullamannuck, and from thence northward 
or north and by east about three miles, and so westward off to 
the north end of Wickaboag pond, taking in all the plains, 
meadows and upland from Podunk by Quaboag pond, to Wick- 
aboag po nd, all the land betwixt, as that called Nacommuck 
(viz. a brook where meadow is) and so to Massaquockcummis, 
viz. another brook where meadows is, and so through the plain to. 
Wickaboag pond, and then down to Lashaway, viz. the river 
which comes from Quaboag pond, all the land as aforesaid on 
the east or the north east side of that river and about three miles 
north and by east from the river, together with the said river, 
and the lands on the west side or south or southwest side of 
the said river, and particularly from Lashaway down the river to a 
brook or stream called Naultaug, and so up that brook to the 
head of it southward, and then from the head of that brook to 
the verge of a hill called Asquoach, and so down southward or 
south east to that pond Quafcong, taking in all the wet mead- 



52 



APPENDIX. 



dow and meadows called Masqu-abanish and Nanantomqua, it 
being about four miles from the river to the verge or foot of 
the hill aforesaid called Asquoach, and about six miles or near 
thereabouts from the river at the mouth of the brook called 
Naltaug, to Quaboag pond all the aforesaid tract of land from 
Wickaboag to Podunk, at the north end of Quaboag, and from 
Naltaug, to Quaboag, called Naltaug, Lashaway, Massaquock- 
cummis, Nacommuck, Wullamannuck, Podunk, Nananton> 
qua, Masquabamisk, and so to the hill called Asquoach ; all 
which land afore described, together with the trees, waters, 
stones, profits, commodities and advantages thereof and there- 
unto belonging, the said Ensign Thomas Cooper, for himself, 
and for the present planters of Quaboag, and their associates 
and successors, is to have, hold and enjoy, and that forever. 
And the said Shattoockquis, as well for other considerations, as 
also for and in consideration of the sum of three hundred fathom 
of wampumpeage* in hand received, doth grant, bargain and sell 
all and singular the aforenamed tract of land to Ensign Thomas 
Cooper, his successors and assigns as aforesaid, and to their heirs 
forever. And the said Shattoockquis doth hereby covenant and 
promise to and with the said Ensign Thomas Cooper, that he 
will save the said Thomas Cooper harmless from all manner of 
claims of any person or persons lawfully claiming any right or 
interest in the said lands hereby sold, or in any part thereof, 
and will defend the same from all, or any molestation and in- 
cumbrance by any Indians lawfully laying claim or title there- 
unto. In witness whereof the said Shattoockquis hath here- 
unto set his hand this tenth day of November 1665. 



* " Wompompague," says Mr. Gookin, " is made, artificially, of a part 
of the wilk'a shell, [wholke.] The black is of double the the value of the 
white. It is piade, principally, by the Narragansett black Islanders (Block- 
Islanders) and Long Island Indians. Upon the sandy flats and shores of those 
coasts the wilk shells are found." Hist. Coll. I, 152. 

In Roger Williams' Key, Wampum is considered as the Indian money, and 
is described in the 24lh chapter of that interesting tract. " One fathom of 
this their stringed money is worth five shillings. Their white money they 
call Wampum, which signifies white; their black, Suckawhock; suki signifying 
black." Hist. Coll. J 1L 231. 



APPENDIX. 53 

Subscribed and ~) The mark of Shattoockquis. 

delivered in the | The mark of Mattawamppe, an Indian 
presence of I witness, who challenging some in~ 

Elizur Holyoke j terest in the land, above sold, received 
Samuel Chapin j part of the pay, and consented to the sate 
Japhet Chapin. j of it all. 

Shattoockquis an Indian above mentioned did own and ac- 
knowledge this to be his act and deed, resigning up all his 
right, title and interest in the lands abovementioned, unto 
Thomas Cooper, his associates and assigns as abovesaid, this 
tenth day of November 1665. 

Before me, John Pynchon, Assistant. 



D. 

At a second session of the General Court held at Boston the 
18th of October, 1673. 

In answer to the petition of the inhabitants of Q,uaboag, the 
Court judgeth it meet to grant their request, and the liberty and 
privilege of a Township, and that the name thereof be Brook- 
field : provided they divide not the whole land of the Town- 
ship till they be forty or fifty families ; in the mean time their 
dividings one to another, exceed not two hundred acres to any 
present inhabitant. 

A true copy as of record. 

Examined — Josiah Willard, Secretary. 

Immediately after the incorporation of the town, Ensign Tho- 
mas Cooper resigned to them his title to the land by the follow- 
ing deed. 

I, Thomas Cooper above-mentioned, do hereby relinquish 
and resign up all my right and title in the lands within mention- 
ed to be bought of Shattoockquis, hereby declaring that my act- 
ing in the premises was only in the behalf of and for the usa and 
behoof of the inhabitants of duaboag (now called Brookfield) 
and their successors, the purchase of the abovementioned land 
5* 



54 



APPENDIX- 



being at their proper cost and charge, who had obtained a grant 
thereof from the honorable General Court and are now allowed a 
Town. I do therefore hereby deliver up this instrument or deed 
of sale to John Warner, Richard Coye and William Pritchard 
of duaboag, alias Brookfield, for the use and as the proper right 
of the inhabitants of Brookfield, the said persons being betrusted 
by the town or present inhabitants of Brookfield for taking in and 
receiving this present deed. Wherefore I do hereby deliver it up 
to them, hereby declaring it and the land therein mentioned to 
be sold, to be, and belong to the present inhabitants of Brook- 
field as they are a township, and to particular persons only, ac- 
cording as they have, or shall have grants of land confirmed to 
them. The whole tract of land above-mentioned I do fully and 
absolutely resign up to the inhabitants of Brookfield aforesaid, 
and to their successors and their heirs forever, as witness my 
hand this 19th day of December 1673. 

Thomas Cooper. 

December 19th 1673, Lieutenant Thomas Cooper above-men- 
tioned, subscribed hereunto and acknowledged the resigning 
up this Deed and all his interest in the premises to the inhab- 
itants of Brookfield. 

Before me, John Pynchon, Assistant. 

This deed was recorded March 1673, 

by me, Elizur Holyoke, Recorder. 
Hampshire, sc. A true copy from record, examined 

per Edward Pynchon, Register. 

E. 

By bis English contemporaries Philip was supposed io be 
governed chiefly by feelings of hatred and revenge excited 
against the English on account of a few imaginary injuries re- 
ceived from them. He was regarded not only as implacable in 
his resentments, but as delighting in the infliction of injury and 
death. The customs of savage warfare undoubtedly led them to 
misunderstand the principles, by which he was influenced and 



APPENDIX. 55 

to regard as wanton cruelty those measures which were dicta- 
led by ardent patriotism. It is believed that the views ex- 
pressed in the discourse respecting his charaoter and motives, 
coincide with the opinions of those, who have carefully examin- 
ed the subject, and also account for his conduct during every 
part of the war. There are, however, traditionary accounts, 
which if it were not for their inconsistency with every other 
part of his course would lead us to adopt a very different opinion 
respecting him. " Tradition says, he was forced on by the fu- 
ry of his young men, sore against his own judgment and incli- 
nation ; and that though he foresaw, and foretold the English, 
would in time by their industry, root out all the Indians, yet he 
was against making war with them, as what he thought would 
only hurry on, and increase the destruction of his people. 
There is a constant tradition among the posterity of the people, 
who lived next to him, and were familiarly conversant with him, 
as also with the Indians who survived the war, that both Philip, 
and his chief old men, were utterly averse to the war, and they 
shew the spot where Philip received the news, of the first En- 
glish men that were killed, with grief and sorrow, and wept at 
the news ; and that a day or two before the first outrages, he had 
protected an English Man the Indians had captivated, rescued 
him from them, and privately sent him home safe." 

See Callender's Hist. Disc, respecting Rhode-Island, p. 73, Boston 
Edition, 1739. 

E2. 

" It will not be amiss to let the reader understand the horri- 
ble, perfidious and treacherous dealing of these Nipnet Indians, 
who although of all other they had the least reason as to any 
pretence of injury, yet did most deceitfully join with Philip and 
his Indians after they had been several times sent unto by the 
governor and council to have prevented their rising and also had 
faithfully promised not to meddle in the quarrel. The inhab- 
itants of Brookfield had been so deiuded by those treacherous 



56 



APPENDIX. 



villains, that fearing no danger they obtained of those Nipmucs 
the promise of a treaty upon the 2d of August. Whereupon 
some of the chief of the town rode along unarmed with Captains 
Wheeler and Hutchinson till they came to the place appointed." 

Hubbard Ind. Wars. 



According to all tradition this place is the hill at the north 
end of Wickaboag Pond. This Hill appears to have been used 
as an Indian Cemetery. When it was cultivated by the English 
after their return, great numbers of human bones were exhu- 
mated. 

G. 

The largest collection of Indians at this time was at a place in 
the south western part of New Braintree. It was called Weni- 
messet, or Meminimesset. The spot where Captain Hutchin- 
son and his company were attacked cannot now be ascertained. 
There are two places, which tolerably answer the description 
given by historians. The one is near the line of Brookfield and 
New Braintree. The other is nearly two miles north of this 
line. Without records and with contradictory traditions it is 
probably impossible to determine with certainty at which place 
the onset was made. 

H. 

There has been of late years no small disagreement respecting 
the place, where the fortified house stood. Some have attempt- 
ed to maintain that it was northeast of Foster's Hill.* But as no 
satisfactory evidence in support of this opinion has been found, it 
is to be regarded as unworthy of credence. There are several 

* The Hill east of the Meeting House in the West Parish. 



APPENDIX. 57 

weighty reasons for believing, that it stood on this hill. 1. The 
principal English settlement was there. 2. The meeting-house* 
which was burned by the Indians was there. 3. In the account 
of the attack on the fortification a well in the yard is mentioned, 
and a well has been discovered near the north west corner of Mr. 
Marsh's door yard, of which the oldest inhabitants can give 
no account except that they have been told, it belonged 
to the fortified house. 4. At a distance of a few feet north of 
the well the ground when cultivated as a garden was unproduc- 
tive. As the soil appeared to be good, it was difficult to 
eee any reason for the barrenness. On examination howev- 
er it was found that a building had stood on the place. Sev- 
eral loads of stone, which had formed a cellar and chimney 
were removed, amongst which various instruments of iron and 
steel were found. 5. There is a hill directly west of this place, 
which corresponds sufficiently well with the descriptions of that, 
down which the Indians rolled the cart of kindled combustibles. 
There is then good reason to conclude that it stood between Mr. 
Marsh's house and barn. 

The following particulars respecting the attack have been pre- 
served by Reverend Dr. Fiske. Note p. 13, Historical Sermon. 
He states, "that three of the men who were killed in the 
ambushment belonged to Brookfield, viz. Captain John Ayre?, 
John Coye and Joseph Pritchard: — That when the Indians pur- 
sued the party into the town, they set fire to all the buildings 
except a few in the neighborhood of the house in which the 
inhabitants had taken shelter: — That they endeavored to in- 
tercept five or six men that had gone to a neighboring house to 
secure some things there; but they all got safe to the place of 
refuge, except a young man, Samuel Pritchard, who was stop- 
ped short by a fatal bullet: — That the house in which they were 
besieged was unfortified, except by a few logs hastily tumbled 
up on the outside after the alarm, and by a few feather beds hung 
up on the inside. And though the siege continued sereral days, 
in which time innumerable balls entered the house, only one 
man, Henry Young, who was in the chamber, was killed.— The 



58 



APPENDIX. 



Indians shot many fire arrows to burn the house; but without 
effect. And on one night the besieged were surprized by a sud- 
den light without doors, and soon perceived that the Indians had 
placed a quantity of combustibles by the side of the house, and 
set them on fire. And though the people were obliged to go 
out and draw water to extinguish the flames, and were all the 
while exposed as marks to the enemies bullets, yet they saved 
the house without any one's being hurt. — During the siege one 
man was wounded as he was drawing water. A board fence 
hid him from the Indians ; but one of them seeing the well-pole 
drawing down, took aim at the place where he thought the man 
must stand, and struck him just under the chin. The man af- 
frighted exclaimed that he was killed. The Indian, knowing 
his voice, shouted and said, " Me kill Major Wilson." When 
the troop which relieved Brookfield got into the town, which 
was late at night, they were joined by a great number of cattle, 
that had collected together in their fright at the conflagration of 
the buildings, and the firing and war-whoops of the Indians ; 
and for protection these poor animals followed the troops till they 
arrived at the besieged house. The Indians deceived hereby, 
and thinking there was a much larger number of horsemen than 
there really was, immediately set fire to the barn belonging to 
the besieged house, and to Joseph Pritchard's house and barn 
and the meeting-house, which were the only buildings left un- 
burnt, and went off. A garrison was maintained at this house 
till winter, when the court ordered the people away ; soon after 
which the Indians came and burnt this house also. 

Long as this note is, I cannot conclude without saying some- 
thing concerning Major Willard, the celebrated deliverer of the 
people here. His conduct in altering his course and coming to 
the relief of Brookfield, being dictated by humanity and execu- 
ted with bravery and success, has gained him the applause of 
people in general. But as it was beside his orders,* he was ce.n- 

* " In all expeditions against Indians in the distant forest some latitude is 
evidently necessary. Probably the very Indians, against whom Major Wil- 
lard was destined were then at Brookfield." Hoyt, p. 102. 



APPENDIX. 



59 



ured by the Court and cashiered, which disgusted his friends 
nd broke his heart." 

It is well known, that a report respecting the censure and deg- 
adation of Major Simon Willard had been widely circulated and 
enerally believed. But there are subsantial reasons for con- 
luding, that he was not deprived of his office. A gentleman 
rell acquainted with the history of those times, says, " I have 
onsulted the contemporary historians Hubbard and Mather and 
arious pamphlets of that day, and Neal and Hutchinson of a 
iter day, and our historical collections. I have looked through 
hie doings of the Court of assistants from July, 1675, to July, 
676, and also the records of the general court, but find not a 
r ord to countenance the assertion that he was cashiered, 5 ' and 
oncludes, that Doctor Fiske must have derived it "from tradi- 
on." To this it is necessary only to add, that on the 2d of 
larch, 1676, he was commander of a detachment for the relief 
f Groton,* and died at Charlestown, April 24th, of the same 
ear, whilst attending the court of assistants of which he was a 
lember, and his military successor was not appointed till the 3d 
f May following. These circumstances warrant the conclu- 
ion, that Major Willard was not cashiered. His conduct in 
escuing the inhabitants of this place from destruction deserves 
) be commemorated by the descendants of those whose lives 
e preserved, and his memory will be dear to all, who know how 
> value deeds of heroism performed for the deliverance of the 
efenceless. 



It is frequently stated or implied by modern historians that 
'hilip personally led on the Indians in their attack. The fol- 
nving statement will correct this misapprehension. 

" Upon Friday, being the 5th of this instant (August) Philip 
nd his company came to us at this swamp, six miles from the 



• Indian Wars, p. 196. Wor. Edition. 



gQ APPENDIX. 

swamp where they killed our men. Philip brought with hirri 
about forty men, but women and children many more, the num- 
ber I cannot tell. Philip's men were about 30 of them armed 
with guns, the rest had bows and arrows. He observed there 
were about ten of Philip's men wounded. Philip was conduct- 
ed to the swamp by two Indians, one of them Caleb of Tatum- 
asket, beyond Mendon. The Indians told Philip, at his first 
coming, what they had done to the English at Quaboag ; then 
he presented and gave to three sagamores, viz. John, alias Ape- 
quinash, Quanansit, and Mawtamps,* to each of them about a 
peck of unstrung wampum, which they accepted. Philip, as I 
understood, told Quaboag and Nipmuck Indians, that when he 
first came towards the Nipmuc country and left his own, hs 
had in his company about 250 men, besides women and chil- 
dren, including the squaw sachem and her company, but now 
they had left him, and some of them were killed, and he was 
reduced to 40 men, besides women and children. I heard also 
that Philip said, if the English had charged upon him and his 
people at the swamp in his own country one or two days more 
they had been all taken, for their powder was almost spent; he 
also said, that if the English had pursued him closely, as he 
traveled up to them, he must needs have been taken." MS. 
narrative of George, a christian Indian, taken prisoner in th$ 
ambushment of Captain HutcJiinson. 

Hutchinson, vol. II. p. 267. 



The first entry in the town records is dated February 24tb r 
1687. 



• Mawtamps probably the same as Mattawamppe p. 53, and as " Neatnmp" 
p. 12. This should have been Netaump, and the reference to pp. 117 and 
202 Ind. Wars. 

The Indian name of " Sam" mentioned in page 12 of the Discourse wae 
Shoshanim. Sec Worcester Magazine, Vol. II. p. 291. 



APPENDIX. (JJ| 



At a great and General Court or Assembly convened at Bos- 
ton, on Wednesday the 8th June 1692. Upon reading a petition 
from the Inhabitants of Brookfield alias Q,uaboag, praying that 
a Committee may be appointed as formerly, to direct and regu- 
late the settlement of said plantation and the affairs thereof, or- 
dered, that John Pynchon, Esq. Captain Gaml. Partridge, Mr. 
Joseph Hawley, Mr. Hitchcock, and Mr. Medad Pomroy, 
be and are hereby appointed and empowered to that service. 

William Phipps. 
A true copy examined by * 

Joseph Willard, Secretary. S 

'* Though the inhabitants were incorporated and the town nam- 
ed by the court as early as the year 1673, yet they were not allow- 
ed the powers and authorities of a town till the year 1718: But the 
court appointed and continued a committee consisting of gentle- 
men belonging to other places, to direct, regulate and ratify all 
affairs relative to settling and building up the town; so that 
without said committee the inhabitants could not take up for 
themselves, or grant to others, any lands. And it was by the 
direction and assistance of said committee, that monies were 
granted, a meeting-house built, a minister chosen, &c. — To en- 
courage the settling of the town, especially in the time of the 
Indian wars, lands were granted to divers persons upon condi- 
tion they would possess and improve fbem for a certain number 
of years." Rev. Dr. Fiske. 



M. 

Owing to the hostility of the natives and constant exposure 

to attacks from them, the inhabitants on theft return to the town 

adopted measures for their safety and protection. Several tern- 

porary fortifications were erected. Of tfoese the principal was 

6 



62 



APPENDIX. 



Gilbert's Fort. It was near the place, where the central school 
house in the West Parish now stands. Its remains are said to 
have been visible till within a few years. On the hill north west 
of this place a tower was built, for the purpose of enabling the 
inhabitants to watch the movements of the Indians, and to ob- 
tain seasonable notice of their approach. It stood on a elevat- 
ed rock. It is related, that early in the evening of a cloudy 
day the sentinel discovered Indians lurking in the woods at only 
a small distance from him. By inadvertence a large portion of 
the guns which belonged to the fort, had been left at the tower. 
The sentinel knew, that if he gave the alarm the inhabitants 
would come for their guns and thus be exposed to the Indians, 
who were ready to destroy them. In this state of things he 
waited till it became quite dark. In the mean time he examined 
all the guns and prepared for an attack. At length he dis- 
charged a gun towards a place where he had seen the Indians. 
They returned his fire. As he was not exposed to injury from 
their muskets, he took a second piece ; and whenever one of their 
guns was discharged, he fired at the light occasioned by it. 
Thus single handed he carried on for some hours a contest with 
them. At length the firing ceased. In the morning blood was 
found in several places in the vicinity of the tower. It is not 
improbable, that several Indians were either killed or severely 
wounded. 

Mark's Garrison stood near the south west end of Wickaboag 
Pond, on a knoll below the junction of the waters of the pond 
with the Quaboag River. It is related that one day Mrs. 
Marks being left alone, discovered hostile Indians in the neigh- 
borhood of the garrison waiting for a favorable opportunity to 
attack the settlement. She immediately put on her husband's 
wig, hat, greatcoat, and taking his gun, went to the top of the 
fortification, and "marched backwards and forwards vociferating 
like a vigilant sentinel, all 's well, all 's well." This led the In- 
dians to believe, that they could not take the place by surprise, 
and fearing the result of an open, or protracted assault, they re- 
rcated without doingan y injury. 



APPENDIX. £3 

Goss' Garrison stood west of Wickaboag Pond near the pre- 
sent residence of Mr. Isaac Gleason. 

Jenings', or Banister's Garrison is supposed to have stood 
north east of the South Parish meeting house near the junction 
of the road from North Brookneld with that to Boston. 
Some, however, think, that it was south of the meeting house 
and beyond the river. 

N. 

" I cannot obtain information enough to enable me to point 
out the exact order of time, or the day, month or year in which 
some of the skirmishes and slaughters happened in this town. 
The first mischief was in the latter end of July or beginning Jof 
August, 1692. A party of Indians came into the town and 
broke up two or three families. Joseph Woolcot, being at 
work a little distance from his house, his wife being fearful took 
her children and went out to him. When they returned to the 
house at noon they found the Indians had been there, for his 
gun and several other things were missing. And looking out at 
a window he saw an Indian at some distance coming towards 
the house. He immediately sent out his wife and his two little 
daughters to hide themselves in the bushes ; and he taking his 
little son under his arm and his broad axe in his hand, went out 
with his dog in sight of the Indian. The dog being large and 
fierce, attacked the Indian so furiously, that he was obliged to 
discharge his gun at the dog to rid himself of him : immediately 
upon which Woolcot set down the child and pursued the Indian 
till he heard the bullet roll down his gun (the Indian charging 
as he ran) he then turned back, snatched up his child and made 
his escape through the swamps to a fort. His wife being great- 
ly terrified, discovered by her shrieks where she was; and the 
Indian soon found and dispatched both her and her children. 
Others of the party about the same time came into the house of 
one Mason, while the family were at dinner. They killed Ma- 
son and. one or two children, and took^his wife and an infant 



64 



APPENDIX. 



which they had wounded, and carried them off. They also. 
took two brothers, Thomas and Daniel Lawrence ; they soon 
despatched Thomas, pretending he had misinformed them about 
the number of men that were in the town. John Lawrence, 
their brother, rode with all haste to Springfield for assistance. 
A company under the command of Captain Coulton came with 
the greatest speed and pursued the Indians. They found Mrs. 
Mason's child, which the savages had knocked on the head and 
thrown away in the bushes ; and continuing their pursuit, they 
came upon the Indians' encampment, which was a sort of brush 
hedge, which they deridingly called " Englishmen's fort." 
The party waited till break of day, and then came so near as to 
put their guns through this brush and fire upon the Indians, 14 
or 15 of whom were killed. The rest fled with such precipitation 
as to leave several of their arms, blankets, powder horns, &c. 
and their prisoners, Daniel Lawrence and Mrs. Mason, whom 
our men conducted back. — This same John Lawrence, who 
rode express and procured the company that rescued the above- 
mentioned prisoners, was afterwards going in company with one 
Samuel Owen in search of a man that was. missing : the Indians 
came upon them, killed Lawrence, but Owen escaped. — Mary 
Mcintosh was fired upon and killed as she was milking her 
cows. Robert Grainger and John Clary were passing along the 
road on a certain day ; and being fired upon by the savages, 
Grainger was killed on the spot ; Clary attempted to escape, 
but had not fled far before he also was shot down. — At another 
time Thomas Battis of Brookfield riding express to Hadley, was 
killed in the wilderness, in a place now called Belchertown. — 
Early one morning John Woolcot, a lad about 12 or 14 years 
old, was riding in search of the cows, when the Indians fired at 
him, killed his horse under him and took him prisoner. The 
people at Jennings' garrison hearing the firing, and concluding 
the people at another garrison were beset, six men set out for 
their assistance, but were waylaid by the Indians. The English 
saw not their danger till they saw there was no escaping it. And 
therefore, knowing that an Indian could not look an Englishman 



APPENDIX. 



65 



iii the face and take a right aim, they stood their ground pre- 
senting their pieces wherever they saw an Indian without dis- 
charging them, excepting Abijah Bartlett, who turned to flee and 
was shot dead. The Indians kept firing at the rest, *nd wound- 
ed three of them : Joseph Jennings in two places, one ball graz- 
ed the top of his head, by which he was struck blind for a mo- 
ment; another ball passed through his shoulder wounding his 
collar bone; yet by neither did he fall, nor was he mortally 
wounded. Benjamin Jennings was wounded in the leg, and John 
Green in the wrist. They were preserved at last by the follow- 
ing stratagem. A large door hearing the firing came to our men ; 
one of whom, to encourage his brethren and intimidate Ihe In- 
dians, called out " Captain Williams is come to our assistance, 
for here is his dog." The Indians seeing the dog and knowing 
Williams to be a famous warrior, immediately fled, and our men 
escaped. John Woolcot, the lad abovementioned, was carried 
to Canada, where he remained six or seven years, during which 
time, by conversing wholly with Indians, he not only entirely 
lost his native language, but became so naturalized to the sava- 
ges, as to be unwilling for a while to return to his native coun- 
try.* Some years afterwards, viz. in March, 1728, in a time of 
peace, he and another man having been hunting, and coming 
down Connecticut river with a freight of skins and fur, they were 
li*ailed by some Indians; but not being willing to go to them, 
they steered for another shore. The Indians landed at a little 
distance from them ; several shots were exchanged, at length 
Woolcot was killed. 

" The last mischief which was done by the savages in Brook- 



* The difficulty of retaining in civilized society those who had been so long 
1h captivity, as to become accustomed to savage life, was often very great. A 
singular instance is found in page 240 of the Record of Lands. " December 
9th. 1714, then granted to Margaret Otice, alias Lebue one that was a prisoner 
in Canada and lately come from thence, forty acres of upland in Brookfield and 
twenty acres of meadow; provided she returns not again to live in Canada, but 
tarries in this province or territory and marries to Captain Thomas Baker." 
The proposal was accepted. Captain Baker was the first representative sent 
from this town to the General Court. 
6* 



66 



APPENDIX. 



field, was about the 20th of July, 1710. Six men, viz. Ebene 
zer Haw ard, John .White, Stephen and Benjamin Jennings, 
John Grosvenor, and Joseph Kellog, were making hay in the 
meadows, when the Indians, who had been watching an oppor- 
tunity to surprise them, sprung suddenly upon them, dispatched 
five of them, and took the other (John White) prisoner. 
White, spying a small company of our people at some distance 
jumped from the Indian that held him and ran to join his friends ; 
but the Indian fired after him, and wounded him in the thigh, by 
which he fell ; but soon recovering and running again, he was 
again fired at and received his death wound." Rev. Dr. Fiske. 



G. 



"October 12th, 1716. Whereas about three years since the 
General Court allowed to the ministry in Brookfield twenty- 
pounds ; of which sum Mr. Elmer who left the ministry there so 
as he had but one half of said sum paid to him, there remains 
ten pounds of said donation ; the Committee judge it meet t his 
last part be paid to Mr. Thomas Cheney the present minister, as 
part of his salary." How many such grants from the General 
Court the town of Brookfield obtained, is not known but in one 
instance. That was on the petition of the inhabitants in 1698, 
then consisting but of twelve families. The document mani- 
fests so worthy a spirit in those early settlers, and the civil 
rulers of those times, that it deserves to be published, for a 
memorial of them. 

The petition of the inhabitants of Brookfield to the Honored 
General Court, assembled at Boston, Nov. 1698, humbly 
aheweth : — 

First. That we seem to be called of God, to continue our 
habitation in this place, we are low in the world, and it would 
be a breaking thing to our estates, to remove to any other plan- 
tation. And the land here is very capable of entertaining a 
considerable body of people ; though inhabitants have been slow 



APPENDIX. 



67 



to come to us by reason of the war, yet the land is very encour- 
aging, capable to afford a comfortable subsistence to many fa- 
milies. 

Second. That it is an intolerable burden to continue as we 
have done, without tbe preaching of the word. God doth re- 
quire not only family worship, but his public worship : it is the 
ordinance of God that on the Sabbath day, there should be an 
holy convocation : and that his word be preached by those that 
are able and faithful, and our necessities put us upon it earnest- 
ly to desire it ; both we and our children, need the instructions, 
rebukes and encouragements of the word : the darkness and 
deadness of our own hearts, together with the many snares that 
are in the world, and an experimental conviction to us, that we 
need all those helps and advantages that God hath sanctified for 
our good. 

Third. That we are not able at present to maintain the wor- 
ship of God; we are but 12 families, and are not of estate suf- 
ficient to give suitable encouragement to a minister ; we are 
willing to do to the outside of our ability ; but though as much 
as can be expected from us, it will not amount to such a sum 
as a minister may reasonably require for his labor. 

Fourth. That if this Honored Court would please to pity us, 
and grant us some help for a few years, for the maintenance of 
a godly, able minister, besides the advantage that it may l?&\to 
these few families that are here, it would be a means of bring- 
ing many other inhabitants to us, whereby we shall be so far 
assisted, that we may of ourselves, be able to uphold the wor- 
ship of God, and not be burdensome to others. 

Under these considerations we humbly beg, that this Honored 
Court would exercise compassion to us, and assign some relief 
to us out of the public treasury, which we shall look upon, not- 
only as a testimony of your zeal for the worship of God, but 
also of your tender compassion to the souls of those, whom God 
hath made you fathers of: and your petitioners shall pray, &c 
Read, Nov. 23 1698. 



68 



APPENDIX. 



In answer to the above petition, 
Ordered that there he twenty pounds paid 
out of the public Treasury of this Pro- 
vince, towards the support of an orthodox 
minister for one year to commence from^ 
the time of the settlement of such minis- 
ter amongst them. 

Sent up to the Honorable the Lieuten- 
ant Governor and Council for Concur- 
rence. Nathaniel Byfield, Speaker. 



Read in Council, Nov. 24, 1698, 
with the Representatives, 



and 



f Samuel O. Owen; 
his mark. 
Thomas Barnes, 
Hervey Gilbert, 
Stephen Gennings, 
Jno. Woolcott, 
James Pettee, 
Samuel Davie, 
William Barnes, 
Thomas Parsons, 
Thomas Rich, 
Abyan Bartlett 
Daniel Price, 
Jno. Clary, 
Joseph Marks, 
[_ John Pettee. 

voted 



a concurrence 



Isaiah Addington, 



Secretary. 



Congregational Muting Houses. 

The first meeting house stood on Foster's Hill about half & 
mile south east of the present meeting house, It was on the 
north side of the old road to the south Parish, about equally 
distant from the house of Mr. Baxter Barnes and that of Mr. 
Tyler Marsh. 

The place in which th* people met during the thirty years 
which elapsed after their return from dispersion and before the 
building of the second meeting house, cannot now be ascertain- 
ed. From their constant exposure to the irruptions of the In- 
dians, it is probable, that according to the customs of insulated 
settlements at that time, they met in a fortified place. As Gil- 
bert's Fort was in the centre of the settlement, it is not unlikely, 
that for many years the inhabitants assembled there for public 
worship. For a few years previously to the building of the 
second meeting house it seems quite probable, that they met in 



APPENDIX. 



69= 



l house, which stood nearly opposite to the residence of Mr. 
Jaxter Barnes. A building, called the TOWN HOUSE stood 
n that place ; and after the completion of the second meeting 
louse, was given to the Reverend Mr. Cheney, on the condi- 
ion, that he would release the town from that part of their con- 
ract in which they had agreed to build him a house. 

The second meeting house was built on the ground, where 
he first had stood. The records of the town with the doings of 
he Committee thereon will give a distinct view of the house 
ind illustrate the circumstances, in which the work was under- 
aken. 

"Nov. 22, 1715. The Inhabitants of Brookfield agreed by 
he consent of the Committee to build a Meeting-house wherein 
o carry on the worship of God ; in form and manner as fol- 
oweth, viz. 45 feet in length, 35 feet in width, and to put in 
rallery pieces so that they may build galleries when they shall 
lave occasion ; and to carry on the building the said house as far 
is they can conveniently with their labors, and what shall be 
required in money for the carrying said work to be raised by a 
Lown rate and if any person or persons refuse to labor, having 
suitable warning by the committee hereafter mentioned, they 
shall pay their proportion in money. The inhabitants likewise 
agree to get the timber this winter." 

" The Committee unanimously agree that the inhabitants build 
a meeting house wherein to attend the worship of Cod which 
shall be set up and erected in said place where formerly the 
meeting house was built near old John Ayres' house lot lying 
near about the centre of the town." 

The third meeting house was built in 1755, and stood on the 
place which the present meeting house occupies. It was 45 
feet in length and 35 in breadth. In 1794 it was removed and 
appropriated to the use of Parish and Town Meetings. 

The present meeting house was raised in 1794, and completed 
the next year. Length of the house including the west porch 80 
feet, length of the body 65 feet, breadth 55. It was dedicated 
November 10th 1795. In 1838, 43 years from the time of its 



70 APPENDIX. 

being built, the present meeting house was entirely remodeled. 
Jt was wheeled round to a right angle with its former position, 
and carried back about a rod in the rear of its original site. 
An addition was made, on each side of the old porch, the ex- 
tent of the building; making the length 80 feet, the breadth 52 
feet. A steeple was erected instead of the former cupola 92 feet 
in height and bears the vane which was on the old meeting 
house. A projection of six feet with four pillars were added in 
front. — Beneath the building a new basement story was formed, 
65 feet in length, 52 in width, which is divided into two apart- 
ments ; one for a vestry, the other for a Town Hall. By slid- 
ing doors the two may be thrown together whenever occasion 
may so require. The house was dedicated January 1, 1839. 
Rev. Mr. VVinslow, of Boston, preached the dedication Sermon. 
The old house was appraised at $1488. The cost of the. 
new, including the chandelier, stoves and other incidental ex* 
penses, was $5488. The pews sold for more than the apprais- 
ed value, 81165. The cost of finishing vestry and Town Hall, 
$300. 

Second Parish, now North Brookfield. 

The first meeting house was raised in 1749 and completed after 
n few years. This house was occupied for public worship till 
January, 1824, when a new one situated about half a mile north 
of the old one was completed. It is a neat and commodious 
edifice. 

Third Parish. 

The meeting house in the south Parish was raised in April, 
1754. It was the design of the party, who erected the frame-, 
eventually to induce the inhabitants of the First parish to unite 
with them in completing and occupying the house. When the 
subject was presented to the General Court, an injunction was 
issued against the proceeding, till some order should be given 
by the Court : a viewing committee was appointed, who reported 



APPENDIX. 7 J 

i favor of a separation, and of the incorporation of a third 
irish. This report was accepted November 8ih, 1754. For 
any years, little was done towards a completion of the house, 
> will appear from the report of a parish committee, April J 9th, 
758. " The pew spots set out and numbered shall be sold, or 
ranted as prized to such persons in the third precinct being 
eeholders ; giving the first offer and choice to the person, who 

highest upon r the town list in rateable estate and personal, as 
le list now stands in the clerk's office : and if refused by the 
rst on the list, said spot shall be offered to the next highest 
a the list, and so to be sold, or granted in succession, till said 
>ots are all taken up and sold. Also that the purchaser may 
ay for the spot in such materials, as shall be suitable for finish- 
ig the meeting house ; also the purchaser shall give his note of 
and to a Committee, which said precint shall appoint for to 
^ceive notes of hand for said sum or sums of money, or mate- 
als as the purchaser shall give, and to agree with the purchas- 
r and allow him a reasonable price for the stuff; and that the 
otes shall be payable in six months, and the Committee shall 
e obliged to use the money and materials in finishing the meet- 
ig house, as the precinct shall give orders to said Committee 
'ithin eighteen months. Also every purchaser shall be obliged 
) build his pew upon said spot, and ceil up to the windows and 
ase the windows and the parts within the limits of the grant up 
) the gallery, or the first girt ; if not the purchaser shall forfeit 
le before mentioned pew spot to the precinct to be disposed of 
s if it had not been taken up." This report was accepted, and 
I was voted, " that the precinct Committee be a Committee to 
ispose of the new spots according to the report and to take 
otes and to call in and receive the money, or materials of the 
urchasers of the pew spots; to provide stuff to build a pulpit, 
leacons seats and minister's pew, and to make use of the over- 
plus towards finishing the meeting house according to the pre- 
inct order, if any there be. 

The dimensions of the house were, length 55 feet, breadth 
12 feet. In 1790 it underwent a thorough repair. A porch 13 



72 



APPENDIX. 



feet square was built surmounted by a steeple. The back body 
seats below and above were removed, and pews were construct- 
ed in the places which they occupied. In 1811 a clock was 
presented for the meeting house by Cheney Reed, Esq. on the 
condition that the parish would keep it in repair. In 1836 
this meeting house was entirely rebuilt, (except the body of the 
frame) and remoddeled. The porch and steeple, at the west end, 
were taken down, the frame removed south some sixty feet, a 
projection, pillars and steeple added at the east end ; which 
makes the front or entrance, and a basement story formed be- 
neath. The whole is finished in a neat style. The story on the 
ground, called the Town Hall, is commodiously fitted up for 
holding Town meetings, and for other literary occasions. The 
cost of the whole about $3500. 

The Meeting house of the Evangelical society in South Brook- 
field was raised in 1828, and was dedicated August 13th, of the 
same year. The dimensions of the house are, length, 50 feet, 
breadth, 42 feet. In 1833 the Evangelical Society was present- 
ed with a bell for their Meeting House weighing about 600 
pounds, by Messrs Jabez & George Howe & Samuel Johnson 
of Boston. Also in the same year the society was presented 
with a suit of lamps, one astral, and 9 others — for lighting the 
pulpit and Church: by Henry Banister of Newburyport, also with 
a handsome table for the Communion Service by Miss Martha 
Tufts. 

Since the building of the Meeting house, the basement story 
has been finished at the joint expense of Capt. William Howe 
and his son Francis. It is of the same extent as the house ; is 
well lighted and divided into two rooms : the one 42ft by 20, the 
other 42 by 30. The former for holding religious conferences, 
&c, the latter to be united with the compartment, by removing 
the moveable partition, for the accommodation of the Town 
to hold Town-meetings, 

Burying Yards. 
The place of the first burials is not known. Tradition fixes 



APPENDIX. 73 

it somewhere in the fields eastward of the meeting house in 
the first parish. It probably was near a road, which in the first 
settlement of the town connected Foster's Hill with the Con- 
neticut road in the neighborhood of Deacon Samuel Barnes. 

The old Burying Ground in the first parish began to be used 
a*s a depository of the dead soon after the return of the inhabi- 
tants from the dispersion in Philip's war. Two men, who were 
killed by the Indians between this place and North Brookfield, 
are said to have been the first that were interred there. The 
six men, who in 1710 were killed in the meadows between this 
place and the South Parish, were soon afterwards buried near 
them. The six graves are still discernible in the line next west 
of Mr. Cornelius White's. It is often asked, why was a place se- 
lected so far from a public road. To this it is necessary only to 
say, that the ancient road from Boston to Hartford passed over 
the plain a little north of the meeting house, and through the 
fields along the east side of the burying yard. 

The first interments in the present burying ground were those 
•of Doctor Whitman Gilbert and Lieutenant John Phipps, on the 
10th of January, 1809. 

South Parish. 

The burying ground in the South Parish began to be used as 
a depository of the dead, probably as early as 1720. 

Q. 

M At a meeting of the Inhabitants of Brookfield, on April the 
5th, 1716. Voted that Thomas Barnes be moderator for said 
day. Voted that Edward Walker, Senior, Joseph Banister, and 
Elisha Rice, do further discourse Mr. Cheney, as to his propo- 
sals in order to settlement in said place, to carry on the work of 
the ministry. Having considered Mr. Cheney's proposals, the 
inhabitants voted to give Mr. Cheney for his salary, fifty-two 
pounds yearly for three years, and to rise forty shillings a year 
•until it comes to seventy pounds, and there to stay. 2dly. Voted 
7 



74 



APPENDIX. 



that Mr. Cheney have all the land that the Committee propose to 
give him. 3dly. Voted to build him a house and barn according 
to the direction he has given ; Mr. Cheney providing glass and 
nails and iron. 4thly. Voted to break up, and fence in, and 
fit to sow, eight acres of land ; four acres upon the hill, 2 acres 
to be planted out with orcharding this year, and 4 acres to be 
broke up on the plain this year, the other two acres to be done 
within four years. 5thly. Voted to get Mr. Cheney twenty five 
cords of wood yearly his lifetime. 6thly. Voted to give Mr. 
Cheney each man one day's work yearly for six years, his house 
and barn to be built in four years, always provided Mr. Cheney 
be our ordained minister. 

Thomas Barnes, Moderator. 

Approved and allowed by the Committee for Brookfield, May 
16th, 1716, provided Mr. Cheney be their settled minister three 
years. 

Samuel Partridge. 

John Pynchon. 

Samuel Porter. 

Ebenezer Pomrot. 

July 16, 1717. At a meeting of the Inhabitants of Brook- 
field. Voted, the third Wednesday in October next is appointed 
and set apart for Mr. Cheney's ordination. Voted that the town 
celebrate and set apart a day of fasting and prayer to implore 
God's presence with us in this solemn and weighty matter, 
which day is left to Mr. Cheney to appoint ; full and clear 
votes. 



R. 



To his Excellency Samuel Shute, Esq. Captain-General and; 
Governor in Chief in and over his Majesty's Province of Mas- 
sachusetts Bay in New England. — The honorable Council and 
Representatives convened in General Court the 28th of May, 
1718. 



APPENDIX. 



75 



We undernamed the Committee for Brookfield after many dis- 
appointments by War and otherwise which for a long time the 
people have labored under, by the good providence of God are 
now so increased, that they are now near fifty families on the 
place, have near finished a very convenient meeting house, have 
settled a Church and ordained an orthodox and learned minis- 
ter, we humbly propose, that they be made a Township, to order 
nil the affairs of a Township according to the direction of the 
Jaw by themselves, and said committee released ; which we sub- 
mit to the Courts determination and for your Excellency and 

Honors shall ever pray. Samuel Partridge, i Committee 

Samuel ^orter. > for 

LuivE Hitchcock. J Brookfield. 

In the House of Representatives November 12th, 1718, read 
and ordered that the prayer of this petition be granted and that 
the inhabitants of the town of Brookfield be invested with all 
the powers, privileges and authorities to direct, order and man- 
age all the affairs of the said township, that other towns are or 
ought to be invested with ; and that the Committee be dismissed 
from their care of them with the thanks of Court for their faithful 
service. Agreed the said town to lye to the county of Hampshire* 
Sent up for concurrence, 

John Burrell, Speaker. 

In Council, November 12th, 1718. 

Read and concurred, with the amendments sent down for con- 
currence, J. Willard, Secretary 

A true copy from the files, Examined, 

J. Willard, Secretary. 

At a great and general Court or Assembly of his Majesty's 
Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New England held at 
Boston on Wednesday the 4th November, 1719. December 3d 
1719. A petition of Thomas Barnes and others of the select 



* Worcester County was incorporated April 2d, 1731, and Brookfield was 
©eluded within its limits. 



76 



APPENDIX. 



men of the town of Brookfield in behalf of said town shewing 
that by an order of the General Court held in May, 1701, the 
Committee for the said town were directed to survey and make 
a plot of the said township containing by grants the contents of 
eight miles square, and lay before the Court such plot for further 
consideration of the bounds of the said township : that the same 
has been cut; the plot being mislayed and no act of the Court 
passed thereon : therefore praying that the said survey and plot 
may be accepted and confirmed and that the inhabitants may 
have the same power and privileges, that other towns are vested 
with. 

In the house of Representatives read and resolved that 
the prayer of this petition be granted, and that the bounds of 
the township of Brookfield be granted, confirmed and estab- 
lished accordingly and agreeable to a plot thereof and here- 
with exhibited, taken by Timothy Dwight surveyor; and 
that the inhabitants that now are, or hereafter shall be, are in- 
vested with all the powers, privileges and authorities that other 
towns have, and, that the choice of town officers made for said 
town in March is hereby approved and confirmed. 

In council read and concurred, 

Consented to, Samuel Shute. 

As the population increased in the neighborhood of Brook- 
field, new towns were formed ; and in their incorporation some 
of them obtained portions of the territory included in this grant. 
A large part of the town of Warren, a small portion of New 
Braintree, and of Ware, and the whole of North-Brookfield, ori- 
ginally belonged to this town. Its present boundaries are north 
by New-Braintree, and North-Brookfield; east, by Spencer and 
Charlton ; south, by Sturbridge and Brimfield ; west, by War- 
ren and Ware. It is said to contain about 27,000 acres of sur- 
face. Few towns present so varied and pleasing scenery. There 
are two extensive ponds ; one in the west parish called Wicka- 
boag, the other in the south parish, called Quaboag. Two streams 
(rising from several sources in Oakham, Paxton and Spencer, 
the one called by the first settlers " Five mile River," and re* 



APPENDIX. 77 

jeniiy " Mill River ;" and the other " Seven mile River") form a 
unction and empty into the north-eastern part of Quaboag pond, 
^ear the north-western corner of the pond is an outlet called 
iuaboag river, which proceeds slowly in its channel through 
iitensive meadows, till it arrives near the south-west part of 
yVickaboag pond ; where it receives from this pond a tributary, 
tnd takes the name of Lashaway. In Warren and Palmer it 
eceives many other tributaries, takes the name of Chickopee, 
md passes westward, till it empties into the Connecticut. 

Brooks and small streams intersect the town in various direc- 
ions, contributing to the fertility of the soil, the]amenity of the 
>lace, and the convenience of the cattle ; but for want of descent 
hey are not suitable for mills. 

There are several springs, whose waters are sufficiently im- 
)regnated with iron and other minerals to be highly useful in 
;ome diseases. The chalybeate springs of the South Parish 
lave been a resort of invalids ; and many are said to have been 
elieved by the use of the water. There is also a spring on the 
border of the pond near the meeting house in the first parish, 
[n the fall and winter it has often been covered by the rise of 
he pond. In the few cases, in which its waters have been used 
or dispepsia and similar diseases, it has been found highly bene- 
icial. A project is formed to protect the spring from the occa- 
sional inundation of the pond and to render it a pleasant resort. 

The waters of the pond seem to be impregnated in a small 
iegree with iron. Vast quantities of ore have been annually 
:aken from it and transported to the Foundry. 

Representatives in the Legislature of Massachusetts. 

1719 Thomas Baker. 
From this time to 1731,1 have not been able to learn that the 
town was represented. 

1731 Joseph D wight 1735 Joseph D wight 

1732 Samuel Barnes 1736 Joseph D wight 

1733 Joseph Dwight 1737 none 

1734 Joseph Dwight 1738 Joseph Dwight 

7* 



78 



APPENDIX". 



1739 Joseph Dwight 

1740 Josiah Converse 
174 I Joseph Dwight 
174*2 Josiah Converse 
1743 Josiah Converse 
174 i Thomas Gilbert 
1745 Josiah Converse 
1745 Thomas Gilbert 
1747 Josiah Converse 



17S0 Dwight Foster 

1781 Phineas Upham 

1782 Phineas Upham 
17S3 Benjamin Rice 

1784 Benjamin Rice 

1785 Phineas Upham 

1786 Daniel Forbes 

1787 Daniel Forbes 
Nathaniel Jenks 



1748 Joseph Dwight | Speaker 



1749 Josepl 



l Dwight ) 
i Dwight ) 



of the House. 



1750 Josiah Converse 

1751 Joseph Dwight 

1752 none — and in conse- 
quence of their failure the 
town was fined £ 14. 

1753 William Ayres 
1754 

1755 

1756 Jabez Upharrr 

1757 Jabez Upham 

1758 Jabez Upham 

1759 Jabez Upham 

1760 Jabez Upham 

1761 Jedediah Foster 
1762 



1763 


(C 


<< 


1764 


(( 


ii 


1765 


II 


<« 


1766 


II 


tt 


1767 


II 


tt 


1768 


II 


tt 


1769 


II 


tt 


1770 


tt 


tt 


1771 


tt 


tt 


1772 


tt 


tt 


1773 


tt 


it 


1774 


it 


a 


1775 


it 


tt 


1776 Benjamin 


Rice 


1777 


John Phii 


pps 


, 


James Converse 




Benjamin 


Rice 


1778 John Lyscomb 


1779 Jedediah Foster 



1788 Daniel Forbes 

1789 Daniel Forbes 

1790 Daniel Forbes 

1791 Dwight Foster 

1792 Dwight Foster 

1793 Thomas Hale, jun, 

1794 Thomas Hale, jun. 

1795 Thomas Hale, jun. 

1796 Thomas Hale, jun. 

1797 Phineas Upham 

1798 Thomas Hale 

1799 John Cutler 

1800 John Cutler 

1801 John Cutler 

1802 John Cutler 

1803 John Culler 
1304 Jabez Upham 

1805 Jabez Upham 

1806 Jabez Upham 

1807 Oliver Crosby 

1808 Dwight Foster 
Rufus Hamilton 
Oliver Crosby 
Isaac Nichols 

1809 Dwight Foster 
Oliver Crosby 
Rufus Hamilton 
Simeon Draper- 

1810 Thomas Hale 
Oliver Crosby 
Elisha Hammond- 
Rufus Hamilton 

1811 Thomas Hale 
Oliver Crosby 



appej 
Jabez Upham 


fDIX. 


Ebenezer Merriam 


Elijah Clapp 


1828 


Alanson Hamilton 


1812 Oliver Crosby 




John Homans 


Elisha Hammond 


1829 


Simeon Draper 


Simeon Draper 




Ebenezer Merriam 


1813 Samuel B. Rice 




Alanson Hamilton 


Oliver Crosby 


1830 


Simeon Draper 


1814 Seth Field 




Alanson Hamilton 


Oliver Crosby 


1831 


Abraham Skinner 


1815 Elisha Hammond 


1832 


Solomon Gilbert 


Simeon Draper 




Rufus Harrington 


1816 Simeon Draper 


1833 Solomon Gilbert 


Israel Smith 




Kufus Harrington 


Samuel B. Rice 


1834 


Lewis Abbott 


1817 Seth Field 




Isaac Gleason 


Simeon Draper 


1835 


Ebenezer Merriam 


1818 Seth Field 




Lewis Abbott 


Simeon Draper 


1830 


Ebenezer Merriam 


1819 Simeon Draper 




Lewis Abbott 


Seth Field 


1837 


Harrison Hathaway 


IS20 none 




Aaron Kimball 


1821 Joseph W. Hamilton 


1838 


Ebenezer Prouty 


1822 Seth Field 




Silvanus Thomas 


1823 none 


1839 


Amos Prichard 


1824 none 




Francis Howe 


1825 Thomas Bond 


1840 


Luther S to well 


1826 Heman Stebbins 


1841 


none 


1827 John Horn an s 


1842 


Francis Howe 



79 



The following inhabitants of Erookficld have been Senators for 
the county of Worcester in the Legislature of Massachusetts 
during the period designated by the dates connected with their 
respective names. 

1780 Honorable Joseph Dorr* 1783. 
1798 Honorable Thomas Hale 1810. 
1808 Honorable Pliny Merrick 180S. 
1815 Honorable Oliver Crosby 1818. 

Representatives in Congress. 

1793 Honorable Dwight Foster 1801. 
1807 Honorable Jabez Upham 1809. 



* At the time of his election he resided in Ward. 



80 APPENDIX. 

Senator in Congress. 
1800 Honorable D wight Foster 1803. 

s. 

At a legal meeting of the Inhabitants of Brookfield on Mon- 
day the 28th day of November, 1743. Then voted Joseph 
Dwight, Esq. moderator for said meeting. After a long debate 
the question was put by the moderator, whether they would grant 
the prayer of the petition of Captain Witt and others, praying to 
be set off a separate precinct with butts and bounds as set forth 
in said petition and it passed in the negative. — Then voted that 
the petitioners and such others of the northeasterly part of the 
said town, who shall signify their desire under their hands to the 
clerk of the town therefor within three months from this day, 
provided their possessions do not exceed a third part of the said 
town for quantity and quality be set off a distinct and separate 
parish. And then voted to concur with the vote of the Church 
in their choice of Mr. Elisha Harding to be their minister. 

December 22d. Met according to appointment, and after a 
considerable debate thereon voted that there be given and grant- 
ed to Mr. Elisha Harding for his encouragement to settle in the 
Gospel ministry in said town the sum of one thousand pounds 
old tenor currency. 2dly. Voted that there be given and grant- 
ed to the said Mr. Elisha Harding for his yearly salary and sup- 
port during the time of his continuance in the ministry aforesaid 
the sum of five hundred pounds old tenor currency accounting 
the same as though to be paid in Indian corn at 20s. per bushel 
and rye at 305. per bushel, and wheat at 40s. per bushel, and so 
the five hundred pounds to be diminished or increased yearly in 
proportion to the prices of those commodities as they shall 
yearly rise or fall and be commonly bought or sold in said town ; 
provided he release to the town all right to the ministry lands or 
in case he inclines to have the improvement thereof he have 
the liberty thereof allowing and paying as much as any other 
person or persons would give therefor. 



APPENDIX. 81 



In consequence of the annoyance occasioned by Indians in- 
itigated and employed by the French it was deemed expedient 
to undertake an expedition for the conquest of Canada. Exten- 
sive preparations were made by the inhabitants of this place to 
bear their part in carrying the project into execution. Arms and 
ammunition were procured and stored in the house of General 
Dwight, now owned by Mr. Nathaniel Lynde. Winter was re- 
garded as the most favorable time for the expedition., and hence 
a quantity of " snow shoes" were made and deposited in the 
same place to facilitate the enterprise.* 

At a town meeting in May, 1776, the question was asked 
" whether the town would support the Honorable Congress in 
the measure, if they for our safety should see fit to declare the 
colonies independent of Great Britain, and it passed in the af- 
firmative almost unanimously," and during the whole of that 
eventful struggle they did not yield to despondency, nor fail to 
redeem the pledge which they had given. 

In 1787, when the insurgents under Shays disturbed the peace 
of the State and threatened to destroy our civil institutions, the 
inhabitants of this place were not uninterested spectators of the 
scene. And though it is admitted, that a portion of them were 
found in the ranks of the insurgents, yet it cannot be denied, that 
the government received from the remainder a prompt and effi- 
cient co-operation. A company was sent to Worcester to pro- 
tect the Court about to sit in that place. These were soon or- 
dered to Springfield. Others from the town were added to 
them. The troops from Brookfield on the side of the govern- 
ment consisted of a company of Infantry from the South Parish, 
U portion of Colonel Crafts' Regiment of Cavalry, and a compa- 
ny of Volunteers from the town at large, under the command of 

* The " snow shoes" remained in the house till after the reduction of Que- 
bec by General Wolfe in 1759: In the winter of 1761, or 2, several paira of 
them were borrowed by Mr. Jesse Abbot and his friends to effect the interment 
of a person, who died when there was an unusual depth of snow. 



Q2 APPENDIX. 

Colonel Jeduthan Baldwin, as Captain ; Colonel Banister, and 
Major Goodale, as Lieutenants. This Company, joined to Col- 
onel Crafts' Troop, and conveyed in sleighs, was very efficient. 
They were sent on in expedition to a town, then called Mur- 
rayfield, to intercept provisions destined for Shays' men 
from Berkshire, guarded by 50 soldiers under the command of 
Colonel Ludington. By a rush on the village at midnight the 
whole party was taken with 14 sleigh loads of provisions and 
safely lodged the next day at Northampton. The next day the 
little remnant of Shays' men were pursued and routed at Peters- 
ham. 

U. 

Before giving a list of the individuals of this town, who have 
received collegiate honors, it is proper to mention the following 
persons, who either resided elsewhere at the time of their grad- 
uation, or did not receive the advantage of literary Institutions. 

Brigadier General Joseph Dwight was the son of Henry 
Dwight of Hatfield, born October 16th, 1703, settled at Brook- 
field, removed to Great Barrington, and died June 9th, 1765. 
He was graduated at Harvard College, 1722. Admitted to the 
practice of Law at Worcester on the first establishment of the 
county, was a member of the Council, Colonel of the Militia, 
Brigadier General in the expedition against Louisburg in the 
year 1745, and afterwards Judge of the Court in the County of 
Berkshire. 

The following notice of the late Judge Upham of New 
Brunswick, taken from a recent publication by Geo. A. Ward, 
containing Biographical Notices of many American Loyalist3 
and other eminent men, is thought deserving a place in this 
list of individuals of this town, who have received collegiate 
and civil honors. 

" Joshua Upham, Esq. the son of Dr. Upham of Brookfield, 
was born in that town in 174L He was graduated at Harvard 
University in 1763 in a class with several who afterwards acted im- 



APPENDIX. 



83 



portant parts on the general stage. One of the first woolen fac- 
tories ever attempted in this country he established in 1768, at 
Brookfield. On finishing his professional studies, he was admit- 
ted to the bar in Worcester, August 1765. He commenced 
practice in his native Town, pursued his business with success- 
ful assiduity in the courts, till 1776, or the following year. He 
removed from Brookfield to Boston, where he resided till 1778, 
and thence to New York, where he continued during the re- 
mainder of the War. While in New York, he was aid-de-camp 
to Sir Guy Carlton, and before he left the British army, became 
a Colonel of dragoons. 

On the organization of the government of the province of 
New Brunswick in 1784, Upham, who had been one of the first 
settlers there, returned to his favorite science, the law. He 
svas appointed Judge of the highest court in the province, and 
sustained the important and responsible duties of his office with 
ndustry and ability. In 1807 he was selected by his brethren 
)n the bench to visit England, for the purpose of obtaining from 
;he government a more perfect organization and arrangement 
jf the judiciary in the British American provinces. He fully 
succeeded in the object of appointment; but did not live to re- 
lurn to his country. He died in London in the year 1808." 

Honorable Jedediah Foster was born at Andover, and was 
graduated at Harvard College in 1744. and settled in Brookfield. 
[n 1754 he was appointed a Justice of the Peace and of A.he 
Quorum for the county of Worcester. In 1751 he was appoint- 
ed a Major of forces raised for the defence of the country, 
arhen threatened with an invasion by the French advancing by 
tvay of Crown Point and lake Champlain. He was a member 
)f the " Provincial Congress" and at the commencement of 
hostilities with Great Britain and before the government was es- 
;ablished, he was chosen by the people as Colonel of a Regi- 
ment. In July, 1755, he was appointed a member of the su- 
jreme Council. He was afterwards a Judge of Probate and al- 
so of the Supreme Court. In March, 1779, he was a member 
)f the convention at Cambridge for the purpose of forming a 
Constitution and a member of the Committee for drafting it. 



g4 APPENDIX. 

He died much lamented October 17th of the same year, aged 55. 

Honorable Joseph Dorr was graduated at Harvard College in 
1752, settled in Ward, and afterwards removed to Brookfield^ 
where he died October 31st, 1808, aged 78. He was appoint- 
ed a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in 177G and resigned 
in 1801. Judge of Probate in 1782, and resigned in 1800. In 
1780 he was chosen senator for the county of Worcester. 

Honorable Pliny Merrick was graduated at Harvard Colleger 
in 1776, was appointed a Justice of the Court of Sessions in 
1807, and in 1808 was chosen a Senator for the county of Wor- 
cester. He died March, 1814 aged 59. 

Honorable Oliver Crosby was born at Brookfield June 3d, 
1766. Though he did not receive the advantages of a public 
education, yet by his solitary efforts, and the excitement produc- 
ed by a society* for mutual improvement, he acquired a strength 
of mind and an acquaintance with facts which qualified him to 
fill several important stations. In 1814 he was appointed a Jus- 
tice of the Court of Common Pleas, and in 1815 he was elected 
a Senator for the county of Worcester. He died July 24th, 1818. 

Honourable Diederick Leertouwer consul of their High 
Mightinesses, the States General of the United Netherlands for 
the States of Massachusetts and New Hampshire, resided many 
years in this town. He died August 24th, 1798, aged 38. His 
family have returned to Europe. 

GRADUATES OF DIFFERENT COLLEGES. 

//. U. denotes Harvard University. Y. C. Yale College. S. 
U. Brown University. D. C Dartmouth College. U. C. 
Union College. M. C. Middlebury College. W. C. Wil- 
liams College. A. C. Amherst College. 

Joshua Upham. H. U. 1763. Judge of the Supreme Court, 
in the Province of Mew-Brunswick. 

* This association was formed chiefly by the influence and enterprize of the 
Honorable Oliver Fiske. Its records are said to be still extant, jt is believed 
that a developement of the plan, exercises, and especially of the effects of this 
society would cast light on the subject of modern Lyceums — and furnish youUu 
with strong inducements to engage in the business of mutual instruction. 



APPENDIX. 35 

Enos Hitchcock. H. U. 1767, D. D. Minister in Providence, 
R. I. 

Theodore Foster. B. U. 1770. Lawyer in Providence R. I. 
and for 13 years a member of the United States Senate. 

Dwight Foster. B. U. 1774. Lawyer in Providence and on 
the death of his father the Hon. Jedediah Foster, he returned to 
Brookfield. In 1779, he was elected a member of the conven- 
tion for forming the Constitution. He was commissioned a 
justice of the Peace and of the Quorum in 1788, Special Jus- 
tice of the Court of Common Pleas, for the county of Worcester 
1792, and in June of the same year, High Sheriff of the Coun- 
ty. In 1792, He was chosen one of the Electors of President 
and Vice-President of the United States, He was commission- 
ed Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas for the county 
of Worcester, in July, 1801 ; and continued in that office till 
1811. He was a member of the Council of Massachusetts in 
1818 ; and died April 29, 1823, aged 66. 

Tilly Rice. B. U. 1777. 

Samuel Hinckley. Y. C. 1781. 

Peletiah Hitchcock. H. U. 1785. Lawyer in Brookfield. 

Merrick Rice. H. U. 1785. 

Jabez Upham. H. U. 1785. 

Amos Crosby. H. U. 1786. 

Benjamin Joseph Gilbert. Y. C. 1786. 

Oliver Fiske. H. U. 1787. Physician in Worcester. Mem- 
ber of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and of the 
Massachusetts Medical Society. Register of Deeds for the 
county of Worcester, from 1816, to 1821. Member of the 
Executive Council from 180S, to 1810, and from 1812 to 1815. 
Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum through the Common- 
wealth, and Special Justice of the Court of Common Pleas, for 
the County of Worcester. 

George Baxter Upham. H. U. 1789. Lawyer in Claremont, 
N. H. and member of Congress. 

Phineas Walker. B. U. 1790. Judge of Probate, New- 

Hampshire. 

8 



gg APPENDIX. 

Samuel Fiske. H. U. 1793. 

Lovell Walker. D. C. 1794. 

Daniel Gilbert. D. C. 1796. 

John F. Jennison. D. C. 1797. 

William B. Bannister. D. C. 1797. 

Joseph Williston. H.U. 1799. Sailing Master United States'" 
Ship, Java. Mediterranean. 

Jonathan Parsons Hitchcock. B. U. 1799. 

Enos Cutler. B. U. 1800. Tutor from 1800 to 1801. 

Samuel Upham. D. C. 1801. 

Charles Gilbert. D. C. 1801. 

Henry G. Rice. H. U. 1802. 

John Reed. Y. C. 1803. 

John Foxcroft. H. U. 1807. 

Harvey Jenks. B. U. 1810. 

Joel Hawes. B. U. 1813. 

Pliny Merrick. H. U. 1814. Lawyer in Worcester. County 
Attorney. 

Samuel B. Rice. H. U. 1816. 

Alfred Dwight Foster. H. U. 1819. 

Henry Upham. H. U. 1819. 

John C. Nichols. Y. C. 1824. 

Lucius W. Clark. B. U. 1825. 

Caleb Sprague Henry. D. C. 1825. 

Israel Hamilton. M. C. 1825. 

Albert Spooner. U. C. 1826. 

Arad Gilbert. Y. C. 1826. 

Hollister B. Gilbert was three years a member of W. C. 
and took a dismission in 1S25. 

Since the incorporation of North Broohfield as a town the fol- 
lowing persons have been graduated, j 

Thomas Adams. D. C. 1814. Pastor of the Church in 
Vassalboro, Maine. 

Ebenezer Strong ' Snell. A. C. 1822. Chosen Tutor 1825, 
Preceptor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy, 1827. 



APPENDIX. 87 



The First Church, in Brookfield, was formed October 16th 
1717, and is the oldest of those between Marlborough and the 
towns on Connecticut River. The Subjoined covenant is not 
known to have been materially altered since the formation of 
the Church. 

- You do now in the presence of the great and holy GOD, 
the elect Angels, and this assembly of witnesses, enter into a 
solemn and perpetual covenant, never to be forgotten, never to 
be broken. 

You sincerely and cordially give up yourself to that GOD 
whose name alone is JEHOVAH ; taking GOD the Father to 
be your GOD and Father, GOD the Son to be your only Sav- 
iour and Redeemer, GOD the Holy Ghost to be your Sanctifier 
and Comforter. 

You submit yourself to Christ, and accept him as the Pro- 
phet, Priest, and King of your soul, the Great Head of the 
Church, and the only Mediator of the covenant of grace ; pro- 
mising that by the assistance of the Holy Spirit, you will keep 
the covenant of the Lord inviolably ; that you will cleave to 
the Lord Jesus Christ by faith and Gospel obedience ; — and will 
endeavor to reform your life as to all known sin, whether open 
or secret; — will live in the conscientious discharge of all duty 
toward GOD and man ; — walking in all the commandments and 
ordinances of the Lord blamelessly ; — that you will endeavor 
that the inward temper of your mind be conformed to GOD's 
will and word ; — and that you will follow the excellent exam- 
pie which Christ has set you for the rule of your life. 

You also give up yourself to this Church in the Lord ; and 
freely covenant and bind yourself to walk as a regular member 
of Christ's church ; to obey them that have rule over you in the 
Lord — to read GOD's word, and to live in the practice of social 
and secret prayer, and in diligent attendance on the word 



g3 APPENDIX. 

preached, and ordinances administered : relying on the grace 
and all-sufficiency of Christ, which are sufficient for you — You 
promise to walk according to what you now know, or shall 
know to be your duty. 

Do you sincerely and cordially consent to the covenant now 
proposed ? 

We then receive you as a sincere disciple of Christ, and a 
member of the same church with ourselves, promising, so long 
as GOD shall continue you among us, to watch over you with 
meekness and brotherly love; and may the Lord add to the 
numbers and graces of his church, and finally bring us all to 
join the general Assembly, and Church of the Frst-born, whose 
names are written in heaven. Amen. 

Reverend Thomas Cheney was graduated at Harvard College, 
1711. He is described as an acceptable preacher, and as sus- 
taining the character of a good man, and faithful pastor. He 
died December 11th, 1747, aged 57. During his ministry the 
Reverend George Whitfield passed through the town. Ma- 
ny of the people were desirous of heariug him ; but Mr. Che- 
ney was exceedingly reluctant. He had heard the calum- 
nies, which were circulated against this man of God, and 
feared, that the tendency of his visit would be to produce irreg- 
ularity. At length, however, he consented 'that the meeting 
house should be opened. By this time so many people were 
collected, that the house would not contain them and the meet- 
inff was held in a field northwest of the house now owned by Mr. 
Baxter Barnes. The rock on which Mr. Whitfield is sup- 
posed to have stood during his sermon, is often pointed out 
with pleasure. His labors were instrumental of exciting the 
attention and of inducing some of his hearers to work out their 
salvation with fear and trembling. A revival ensued, of which 
Mr. Cheney was an active promoter. Many were added to 
the church. Of these none now remain. The last subject of 
this work of Grace died in 1819, aged 100 years and 7 months. 



APPENDIX. 89 



V 2. 

tleverend Elisha Harding was graduated at Harvard College 
in 1745. The sermon at his ordination was preached by the 
Reverend Nathan Bucknam, pastor of the church in Medway, 
from Coll. iv. 17. It was printed. Mr. Harding is represented 
as " a man of singular probity and solid learning;" as one, who 
1 from a child had known the Holy Scriptures,' and made them 
much the matter of his study. His public ministrations are de- 
scribed " as serious and calculated to edify and benefit his 
hearers." The difficulties respecting the location of the meet- 
ing house were the occasion of his dismission. It is believed, 
that he was not again settled in the ministry. 

V3. 

Reverend Joseph Parsons was the son of Reverend Joseph 
Parsons of Bradford (Mass.) and was graduated at Harvard Col- 
lege with the class of 1752. He was distinguished for the vi- 
vacity of his descriptions, the accuracy of his reasoning, and the 
persuasiveness, of his exhortations. In health he was a " promo- 
ter of peace, and an example of the christian virtues." His con- 
stitution, never strong, began at length to yield to the influence 
of slow and painful disease. He lingered nearly three years af- 
ter he became unable to discharge his ministerial duties, and 
was a " pattern of patience and resignation." He died " strong 
in faith and full of hope," January 17th, 1771, aged 37. 

y.4 

Reverend Ephraim Ward, was born at Newtown, in 1741, 
and was graduated at Harvard University in 1763. The minis- 
try of Mr. Ward was long and peaceful. His characteristic 
mildness of disposition, and urbanity of deportment secured 
the affection of all with whom he had intercourse. " As a 
8* 



90 



APPENDIX. 



preacher he was evangelical, plain and practical. He held a 
very respectable standing among his brethren in the ministry 
and in the neighboring churches. His apparent sincerity ared 
piety, the sound sentiments, and practical tendency of his dis- 
courses rendered them acceptable and edifying''* His example 
is remembered almost with veneration. He died at the advanc- 
ed age of 77. t 

Rev. Eliakim Phelps was born at Belchertown, March 20, 
1790, and was graduated at Union College in 1814. Mr. Phelps 
continued in the ministry till 1826, when he received an invi- 
tation to become the principal of the Female Classical Semina- 
ry in this place. He accepted the invitation, asked a dismis- 
sion from his people and preached his farewell sermon on the 
18th of June. His pastoral relation, however, was not dissolv- 
ed till the 25th of October, 1826. 

Rev. Joseph I. Foot was born at Watertown, Conn. Novem- 
ber 17th, 1796, was graduated at Union College in 1821, and 
during the next three years was a member of the Theological 
Seminary at Andover. At his ordination, Rev. Heman Hum- 
phrey, D. D. President of Amherst College, preached the ser- 
mon from 1 Cor. iii. 6. Mr. Foot was dismissed from his pas- 
toral charge at West Brookfield, May 1, 1S32. In 1833 he 
was called to take charge of the church and congregation of 
Salina, N. Y. where he labored two years. In 1835 he accept- 
ed a call from the church in Courland in the same state, and 
continued to labor there till 1837. In 1839, he accepted an 
invitation from the church in Noxville, East Tennessee, to be- 
come their pastor. Two months afterwards, he was chosen 
President of Washington College, in the same state. In the 
March following, he received from the College the degree of 
D. D. On Monday, the 20th of April, 1840, as he was riding 
to Washington College to be inaugurated president, his horse 



* Rev. Mr. Stone's Sermon at the interment of Rev. Mr. Ward, 
t Newtown in this article should have been Newton. 



APPENDIX. 



91 



took fright as he was descending a hill, and he was violently 
thrown against a rock ; by which occurrence, three of his ribs 
were broken, and his lungs pierced by the splinters. He lin- 
gered in great distress for 22 hours. On the next day, at 4 
o'clock, P. M., the day before his expected inauguration, he 
expired in the 44th year of his age. 

Rev. Francis Horton was installed pastor over the church 
and congregation of West Brookfield, Aug. 15, 1332. Dis- 
missed, Sept. 15, 1841. 

Rev. Moses Chace was installed January 12, !842. 

w. 

The Second Church was formed May 28th, 1752. 

Rev. Eli Forbes D. D. was born at Westborough in 1726, 
and was graduated at Harvard College, in 1751. " In 1762, he 
went as a missionary to the Oneidas, amongst whom he esta- 
blished a church and instituted a school. On his return he 
broughtfour Indian youths, whom after educating, he sent back 
to instruct their nation. 

W.2- 

Rev. Joseph Appleton, was graduated at Brown University 
in 1772. In his intercourse with his people he is represented 
as l^ind and affectionate ; and in his public ministrations seri- 
ous and ardent. He died July 25th, 1795. 

W3. 

Rev. Thomas Snell was born at Cummington, Nov. 21', 
1774, was graduated at Dartmouth College in 1795, and receiv- 
ed a Doctorate of Divinity from Amherst College, in 1828. 

X. 

The Third Church was formed April 15, 1756. 

Rev. Nathan Fiske, D, D, was born at Weston, April 6, 



92 



APPENDIX. 



1733, and was graduated at Harvard College, 1754. He was a 
highly respectable scholar, and an able divine. In theological 
views "he was in favor of the pure doctrines of Calvanism, 
but called no man master. He took the sacred oracles for his 
guide: — and for investigating and understanding their mean- 
ing, he ranked high among critics.' 5 * He was no less distin- 
guished as a philanthropist and a patriot, than as a christian 
minister. November 24th, 1799, he preached from Prov, iv. 
18. "But the path of the just is as the shining light, that 
shineth more and more unto the perfect day." At night he re- 
tired apparently in good health, and in his sleep, his spirit de- 
parted to its eternal home. Dr. Fiske's published works are, 
An Historical Sermon, 1775. A Sermon on the Public Fast, 
April 1776. Sermon on the death of Mr. Joshua Spoonter, 
1778. Sermon on the death of Hon. Jedediah Foster, 1799. 
An Oration on the capture of Lord Cornwallis, October, 1781. 
A Sermon at the funeral of Mr. Josiah Hobbs, April, 1784. 
A volume of Sermons, 1794. A Dudleian Lecture, 1796. 
Two volumes of Essays originally published in various papers 
by Dr. Fiske were collected and republished after his death, 
and styled, the Moral Monitor. 

Mr. Isaac Averill was next invited to become pastor of thi3 
church. His ordination was appointed October 1st, 1800, but 
he died suddenly on the 2Uth of September. 

X2. 

Rev. Micah Stone was born at Reading September 22, 
1770, and was graduated at Harvard University in 1790. He 
was chosen Tutor in 1794, and continued in that office till 
1795. The sermonf at his ordination was preached by his 
father, the Rev. Eliab Stone, pastor of the North Church in 

* See Rev. Mr. Ward's Sermon at the funeral of Dr. Fiske. 
Dr. Fiske built and occupied the house now owned and occupied by Rev. 
Mr. Stone, 
t It was printed. The text is Phil. ii. t. 



APPENDIX. 93 

Reading. In 1827 his civil contract with the parish was dis- 
solved by mutual consent. He remained pastor of the church 
by terms of special agreement, and on the 24th of August, 
1827, a new society was formed, denominated " The Evangel- 
ical Society in South Brookfield." With this society the 
Church united by vote, November 5th, 1827. 

Rev. Richard Woodruff was born in West Hartford, was 
graduated at U. C, and finished his Theological course at N, 
H. He was ordained colleague pastor, Feb. 5, 1834 : dismiss- 
ed at his request, September 12, 1838. 

Rev. Washington A. Nichols was born in Buckland, April 
4, 1808; was graduated at A. C. 1834; finished his Theologi- 
cal course at Andover September, 1838, and was ordained col- 
league pastor, Sept. 12, 1838, and dismissed at his request 
through ill health, January 11, 1843. 

Rev. Lyman Whiting was born in North Brookfield, April 
28,1817; finished his Theological course at Andover, Sep:* 
tember, 1842; and was ordained colleague pastor, January ll* fi 
1843. 



Rev. George R. Noyes, was born at Newburyport, March 
6th, 1798, was graduated Harvard University in 1818, and was 
appointed Tutor in 1825, and continued in office till 1827. 
Mr. Noyes discontinued his services by mutual consent with 
the Soeiety on the last Sabbath in September, 1834. 

Rev. Seth Alden their present minister commenced his stat- 
ed labors among them, October 18, 1835. 

Z. 

Baptist Society. 

As early as the year 1748, the Baptists held meetings in the 
eastern part of the town, and during forty years lectures were oc- 
casionally delivered by travelling ministers. In 1788, Mr. Jere* 



94 APPENDIX. 

raiah Haskell was employed as a preacher, and continued his 
services a few years. In 1795 a commodious meeting house 
was erected, and afterwards well finished. The Society was in- 
corporated in 1800, and employed Mr. Nathaniel Price as their 
preacher. He was succeeded hy Reverend Laban Thurber, 
who was ordained in 1801, and closed his ministry in 1805. 
From 1805 to J8*5, the pulpit was supplied but a small part of 
the time. The number of members of Baptist Churches in 
the vicinity was only four. In 1815 the society employed Mr. 
John Chase then a licentiate, as a stated supply. A revival soon 
began. The subjects of it united with the Baptist Church in 
Sturbridge. In the year 1818 the number of mem! ers of Bap- 
tist churches residing in the vicinity was 37. These were con- 
stituted a distinct church and on the 10th of June, the Reverend 
John Chase, was ordained their pastor. " The following winter 
a revival began, and many were hopefully converted, and after- 
wards admitted to the church."* 



A Universalist Society was incorporated in IS12. A meeting 
house was built in 1820. The dimensions of the house are, 
length 43 feet, breadth 40 feet. Reverend John Bisbee, jun. was 
ordained in November, 1820, and received an invitation to be- 
come minister of a society in Hartford, Conn, in 1825, which he 
accepted. 

Methodist Societies. 

A Methodist Society was formed in the South Parish in 1826, 
and a meeting house erected the next year. The dimensions of 
the house are, length 45 feet, breadth 30 feet. 



•Rev. John Chnse died July 28, 1833. Rev. Benjamin B. Manning or- 
dained Jan. 1st 1S34; dismissed 1835. Rev. Winihrop Morse commenced his 
labors with the Society as Pastor in Nov. 1835; finished them 1839. Rev. 
J. H. Riekett, began "his ministry June 1S39; closed Oct. 1840. Rev. Job 
B. Boomer, the present pastor, commenced his ministry June 1841. 

The Meeting House erected in 1795, has been disposed of, and a neat and 
commodious one was built in the centre of their village, 52 ft. by 42; and 
dedicated, March 1840. Cost &3500. 



APPENDIX. 95 

In the year 179S, the Methodists began to hold meetings in 
the north western part of the First Parish. About two years af- 
terwards a church was formed, and in 1823, a meeting house 
was erected. It is near to the line between Brookfield and 
Ware, and in the vicinity of a part of New Braintree and 
Hardwick. 

A. A. 

Mr. Whitfield passed through this town, and spent the night 
on his journey to visit Mr. Edwards of Northampton, in October 
1740, and preached as mentioned by Mr. Foot. 

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 

There have been two newspapers printed in this town. The 
Moral and Political Telegraph : Or Brookfield Advertiser, 
By Thomas and Waldo, 1794. The Political Repository and 
Farmers' Journal, By E. Merriam and Co., 1798. This paper 
was published but a few years. The printing of Books, how- 
ever, has ever since been extensively carried on. 



The Worcester and Brookfield Iron Foundry was incorporat- 
ed in June, 1826. 

PROFESSIONAL GENTLEMEN. 

Lawyers. 

Peletiah Hitchcock, H. U. 1875. 

Elisha Hammond. Y. C. 1802. Admitted to the Bar at 
Worcester, 1806. 

Jesse Bliss. D. C. 1808. Admitted to the Bar at Worcester, 
1811. 

Arad Gilbert. Y. C. 1826: 

Physicians. 
Seth Field Lawson Mirick William Curtis. 



96 APPENDIX. 



Justices of the Peace in Brookfield, 1843, 

Seth Field Edwin B. Taintor 

Jesse Bliss Francis Howe 

Elisha Hammond Otis Hayden 

Ebenezer Merriarn Arad Gilbert; 
Alanson Hamilton 

The BROOKFIELD ASSOCIATION of Ministers was 
formed at the Rev. Dr. Forbes 5 in North Brookfield, June 22d, 
1757. It was composed of 16 members. 



The AUXILIARY FOREIGN MISSION SOCIETY of 

the Brookfield Association was formed at Brookfield in 1824. 



The SABBATH SCHOOL UNION, of Brookfield, and the 
vicinity, was formed at Brookfield, June 18, 1828, and was 
composed of the Sabbath Schools in Barre, Brimfield, Brook- 
field, North Brookfield, New Braintree, Hardwick, Holland, 
Oakham, Palmer, Spencer, Southbridge, Wales, Ware and 
Warren. 



The SABBATH SCHOOL in the first Society, was first 
opened in 1817, by a few individuals, during the interval of di- 
vine service on the Sabbath. The next year it was attended 
by 70 scholars. In the spring of 1819, the number increased 
to 180. From that time to the present, it has been in success- 
ful operation. 



»CP Acknowledgments of obligation are due to the Rev. Micah Stone, of 
Brookfield, and the Hon. Oliver Fiske, of Worcester, for their assistance in 
various notes; and also to Joseph Willard, Esq., author of the history of Lan- 
caster, for a valuable communication offacts connected with the war of 1675. 



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